What Is Appendix Cancer?
Appendix cancer is a rare disease that occurs when the cells in the appendix mutate and grow out of control. The appendix is a part of the digestive system and a small tube-like structure located on the lower right side of the abdomen, near the junction of the large and small intestines. The function of the appendix is unknown.
What are the signs and Symptoms of Appendiceal Lymphoma
At times people with appendix cancer don’t develop any symptoms, and when the warning signs occur, they can vary depending on the person. The signs and symptoms may include:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Pain in the right lower abdomen
- Fertility Problems
- Vomiting and nausea
- Bloating
- Changes in bowel function
- Appendicitis
How can you get Appendix Cancer?
Appendix cancer begins when the cells in the appendix mutate and grow out of control. However, experts are unaware of what causes the process to start with. Certain risk factors associated with appendix cancer include:
- Gender – Women are more likely to develop appendix cancer compared to men
- Smoking or using tobacco can increase the chances.
- Medical history – health conditions such as pernicious anaemia and atrophic gastritis can increase the risks of appendiceal lymphoma
- Age – the risk for appendix cancer increases with age
Can Appendix Cancer be Hereditary?
No genetic or familial factors are related to Appendiceal Lymphoma; although research is ongoing in this area, experts believe that appendix cancer is not hereditary.
How can Appendix Lymphoma get treated?
There are several ways of treating appendix cancer, and the many treatments include:
- Surgery: Laparoscopic appendectomy removes the removal of the appendix and can be a solution for treating small tumours. Large tumours are usually treated more aggressively and require secondary surgery to remove more tissue. The possible procedures include hemicolectomy and debulking surgery, where the surgeon removes as much of the tumour as possible. Surgery is usually performed in cases where there is an increased risk of bleeding or obstruction due to the tumour.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is sometimes the mainstay of treatment in cases of appendiceal lymphoma. The treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The medications are injected directly into the bloodstream or given in pill form.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: The treatment aims to target cancer cells and limit any damage to healthy cells.
Treatment options and recommendations will depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, patient preferences, and overall health.
Laparoscopic appendectomy is ideal for dealing with small tumours, and it is a safe surgery with very little to no complications. Patients can start mobilising within a few hours of surgery and usually get discharged within 24 hours of operations. Most of the patients can recover completely within a week post-surgery, return to work, and return to their daily routines. The treatment will depend on the stage and extent of the disease.
Contact the Laparoscopic & bariatric surgery centre to learn more about Laparoscopic Appendectomy Surgery. The surgery is performed by Dr. Aparna Govil Bhaskar, a renowned and one of the best laparoscopic and bariatric surgeons in India.
