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Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Appendix Cancer

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Appendix cancer may not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Also, in most cases, appendix cancer is diagnosed when the organ is removed, assuming the patient has appendicitis.

Becoming aware of the different signs and symptoms of appendix cancer can help one receive the right care at the right time.

Who is Mainly Affected by Appendix Cancer?

Appendix cancer may affect any person of any age. However, it is observed that increasing age is an important risk factor for appendix cancer. Individuals aged 50 and above are mainly affected by appendix cancer. Women are at greater risk of developing appendix cancer than men. Appendix cancer is relatively more common in people who smoke and use tobacco products than in those who do not. Further, people with underlying medical conditions, such as pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, are more vulnerable to appendix cancer. Further, appendix cancer may also occur in people with a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).

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What are the Symptoms of Appendix Cancer?

Signs and symptoms of appendix cancer are:

Abdominal pain

Abdominal discomfort and pain may be one of the early signs of appendix cancer. As the tumor grows, it exerts pressure on the nearby tissues, and this can cause pain. The patients may also have abdominal pain during the advanced stages of appendix cancer when the tumor metastasizes to other organs in the abdomen region.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a condition characterized by blockage and infection of the appendix. Appendicitis may also be a sign of appendix cancer. Appendicitis may cause symptoms like acute pain in the right lower abdomen, loss of appetite, increased pain during coughing or walking, and nausea and vomiting.

Appendicitis may occur when the tumor obstructs the lumen of the appendix. It may also occur when there is an excessive accumulation of mucin in the appendix (mucinous neoplasms), resulting in appendix rupture.

Bloating

Patients with appendix cancer and underlying appendicitis may also experience bloating. Bloating may be due to swelling of the abdominal tissues surrounding the appendix due to invasion of the tumor cells.

Changes in Bowel Habits

Patients with appendix cancer may also develop altered bowel habits. They may have diarrhea, constipation, or both. As cancer increases the size of the appendix, it starts affecting the surrounding abdominal organs, such as the rectum and colon. Further, when the tumor invades the gastrointestinal tract, it may obstruct the tract, leading to constipation and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Pelvic Pain

Appendix cancer may also cause pelvic pain. It may indicate advanced appendix cancer. When the tumor invades the pelvic organs and starts pressurizing the nerves and tissues, the patients experience pain in the pelvic region. In some cases, the pain is severe.

Ascites

Patients with appendix cancer may also have an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Physical examination reveals abdomen swelling and tenderness that may indicate an advanced stage of the disease.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are the other symptoms of appendix cancer. They most commonly occur when appendix cancer invades the intestine and causes obstruction. These obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract cause episodes of nausea and vomiting.

Fertility Problems

There is also an association between appendix cancer and infertility. A case report found that removing the appendiceal mass in women with primary infertility resulted in normal conception and delivery.

Appendix Cancer Type and its Symptoms

Symptoms of Carcinoid Tumors

Patients with carcinoid tumors may experience abdominal pain, swelling, bloating, and distension.

Symptoms of Adenocarcinoma

The most common symptoms of appendiceal adenocarcinoma are increased abdominal girth and vague abdominal pain.

Symptoms of Goblet Cell Carcinoid Tumors

Symptoms of goblet cell carcinoid tumors of the appendix include the presence of abdominal mass and abdominal pain.

Symptoms of Mucinous Adenocarcinoma

Symptoms of mucinous adenocarcinoma include nausea and vomiting, acute appendicitis, abdominal pain, weight loss, and palpable mass.

Symptoms of Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma

Signet ring cell carcinoma symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. Some patients may also experience weight loss and altered bowel habits.

Most Common Appendix Cancer Causes

Appendix cancer causes are:

Smoking or Use of Tobacco

Smoking and tobacco are potential appendix cancer causes. The cells of the appendix may potentially undergo mutation due to the chronic effects of the carcinogens present in tobacco.

Medical History

Certain underlying medical conditions also cause appendix cancer. These include atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. A family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) may also cause appendix cancer in some patients.

Gender

Women are more vulnerable to developing appendix cancer than men. The reason for this gender bias remains unknown.

Age

Appendix cancer most commonly occurs in older adults. It is rare in children. The condition most commonly affects individuals over the age of 50.

Conclusion

The symptoms of appendix cancer include appendicitis, change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, accumulation of fluid, pelvic pain, and fertility problems. The possible appendix cancer causes include smoking, the use of tobacco, and underlying medical conditions such as atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Women and older adults are at enhanced risk of developing appendix cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is appendix cancer rare?

Yes, appendix cancer is rare. It generally affects 1–2 people per 1 million people. Although it commonly affects older adults, there has been a reduction in the age of diagnosis in the past decade.

There are several types of appendix cancer. Some of them, such as carcinoid tumors, grow at a slower rate, while others are aggressive or have a faster growth rate, namely signet ring cell adenocarcinoma.

Signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma is considered the most aggressive appendix cancer.

Several cells are present in the appendix. Each cell has its own rate of division. However, various factors, such as smoking, underlying medical conditions, family history of certain diseases, and age, cause mutations in these cells, thereby altering the rate of division. These cells then divide uncontrollably, leading to appendix cancer.

Appendix cancer has the potential to invade other organs. The symptoms of recurrence depend upon the site of recurrence. It may recur in the appendix, liver, or lungs.

Studies have reported a genetic link to appendix cancer. People with a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome or appendix cancer are more vulnerable to developing appendix cancer.

Consumption of alcohol and tobacco, family history, certain medical conditions, obesity, and radiation exposure are identified as some of the potential appendix cancer causes.