Invisible Me Highlight: Appendiceal Cancer Appendix Cancer Appendix cancer is extremely rare, affecting an estimated 600 to 1,000 Americans each year. Tumors that occur in the appendix comprise a large group of both benign and malignant diseases. Even among those tumors that are cancerous, it is important to note that not all of them behave the same way. Some types exhibit a much more aggressive behavior (those that are referred to at a microscopic level as “signet ring cells”) compared to others (referred to as “moderately differentiated” or “well-differentiated”). In the early stages of the disease the appendix is removed, and tumor size is directly related to prognosis (outlook). Appendix tumors less than two centimeters have a low tendency to spread and patients generally have an excellent five-year survival rate, while tumors larger than 2.5 centimeters may require more aggressive treatment and patients have a lower survival rate. Unfortunately, appendix cancer often remains undiagnosed until it is unexpectedly found during or after abdominal surgery or when an abdominal mass is seen during a CT scan for an unrelated condition. This is further complicated by limited radiographic techniques which may reduce the ability for physicians to clearly see the abdomen and determine the extent of disease or even its origin. For these reasons, a majority of appendix cancer cases are not noticed until the disease is more advanced. These patients typically exhibit many tumor deposits spread throughout the abdominal cavity, accompanied by abundant fluid buildup (often leading to a swollen or distended abdomen), all of which originates from the appendix.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 14:11:10 +0000
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