The rate of appendiceal cancer or appendix cancers is increasing day by day. There have been many campaigns on ‘Know Appendix Cancer’ timely. So here is all you need to know.
What is appendix?
The appendix is a part of our digestive system. It is located at an interface where our large intestine meets with our small intestine. You may find your appendix at the beginning of large intestine where it is connected to the colon. Although appendix lacks an essential role of its own, it is likely to play a role in exhibiting an immune response.
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Know Appendix Cancer:
When the healthy cells of your appendix become abnormal and proliferate beyond a controlled rate, you are prone to appendix cancer. In other words, your healthy appendix cells turn out to be cancerous and result into a tumour.
It is one of the rarest types of cancers known to occur. As appendix cancers lack the backing of essential classification roots, this creates a hindrance in its further research studies.
Five types of appendix cancers:
Adenocarcinoma (Colonic type):
Out of all the five types, this is the most common. It resembles colon cancer in its appearance. Adenocarcinoma affects adults standing in the age range of 62 to 65 years.
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Mucinous Adenocarcinoma:
This is reckoned as MAA and is broadly divided into two types based on grade (low and high).
Goblet cell Adenocarcinoma:
This is reckoned as GCA and is characterized by the presence of intestinal-type goblet cells. Goblet cells are usually the natives of respiratory and intestinal tracts.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma:
This is better reckoned as typical carcinoid. Here, there is an onset of a tumor resulting from the bowel cells. This type of appendix cancer cannot exhibit metastasis.
Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma:
It is considered to be sub-type of the first two types of appendix cancers. Out of all the five, this turns out to be most aggressive in nature and quick to spread to other organs.
Does it have any type of symptoms?
Symptoms of appendix cancers:
Appendicitis, ovarian masses, bloated abdomen, hernia, bowel obstruction, chronic abdominal pain.
Know Appendix Cancer Treatment:
Most widely preferred treatment option for appendix cancer is surgery. Appendectomy work towards the removal of the appendix.
In case, the tumor is quite large, your doctor might remove one half of your colon along with some lymph nodes. This process is referred to as hemicolectomy.
Before and after the surgical procedure, you may be subjected to chemotherapeutic treatment.
After chemotherapy sessions, the doctor may ask you to undergo MRI and CT Scans as a part of follow-up procedure.
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