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Appendix cancer

Appendix cancer

Overview
Appendix cancer or appendiceal cancer
Cancer
Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth , invasion , and sometimes metastasis...

 is a malignancy of the vermiform appendix
Vermiform appendix
In human anatomy, the appendix is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum , from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon...

, accounting for about 1 in 200 of all gastrointestinal malignancies.

This is a very rare condition and can vary in type, the most common pathologies are carcinoid
Carcinoid
Carcinoid is a slow-growing type of neuroendocrine tumour, originating in the cells of the neuroendocrine system....

 tumors or adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is a cancer originating in glandular tissue. This tissue is also part of a larger tissue category known as epithelial. Epithelial tissue includes skin, glands and a variety of other tissue that lines the cavities and organs of the body. Epithelium is derived embryologically from...

.

Appendiceal tumors often present with peritoneal seeding, resulting in peritoneal carcinomatosis or Pseudomyxoma peritonei
Pseudomyxoma peritonei
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is an uncommon tumor known for its production of mucus in the abdominal cavity. If left untreated, mucin will eventually build up to the point where it compresses vital structures: the colon, the liver, kidneys, and pancreas....

 (sometimes known as PMP
PMP
PMP may mean several things:* NAT Port Mapping Protocol* Point-to-multipoint communication * Perlman Music Program* Portable media player, a handheld electronic device that supports the playback of digital media...

).

Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian.Born in Ixelles as Audrey Kathleen Ruston, Hepburn spent her childhood chiefly in the Netherlands, including German-occupied Arnhem, Netherlands, during the Second World War...

 was a notable victim of appendix cancer, dying of the disease in 1993.

In most cases the tumor has spread outside of the appendiceal tissue.
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Encyclopedia
Appendix cancer or appendiceal cancer
Cancer
Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth , invasion , and sometimes metastasis...

 is a malignancy of the vermiform appendix
Vermiform appendix
In human anatomy, the appendix is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum , from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon...

, accounting for about 1 in 200 of all gastrointestinal malignancies.

Presentation


This is a very rare condition and can vary in type, the most common pathologies are carcinoid
Carcinoid
Carcinoid is a slow-growing type of neuroendocrine tumour, originating in the cells of the neuroendocrine system....

 tumors or adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is a cancer originating in glandular tissue. This tissue is also part of a larger tissue category known as epithelial. Epithelial tissue includes skin, glands and a variety of other tissue that lines the cavities and organs of the body. Epithelium is derived embryologically from...

.

Appendiceal tumors often present with peritoneal seeding, resulting in peritoneal carcinomatosis or Pseudomyxoma peritonei
Pseudomyxoma peritonei
Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is an uncommon tumor known for its production of mucus in the abdominal cavity. If left untreated, mucin will eventually build up to the point where it compresses vital structures: the colon, the liver, kidneys, and pancreas....

 (sometimes known as PMP
PMP
PMP may mean several things:* NAT Port Mapping Protocol* Point-to-multipoint communication * Perlman Music Program* Portable media player, a handheld electronic device that supports the playback of digital media...

).

Notable cases


Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian.Born in Ixelles as Audrey Kathleen Ruston, Hepburn spent her childhood chiefly in the Netherlands, including German-occupied Arnhem, Netherlands, during the Second World War...

 was a notable victim of appendix cancer, dying of the disease in 1993.

Treatment


In most cases the tumor has spread outside of the appendiceal tissue. Treatment includes CRS or cytoreductive surgery which includes the removal of visible tumor and affected essential organs within the abdomen and pelvis. The peritoneal cavity is infused with heated chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, in its most general sense, is the treatment of disease by chemicals especially by killing micro-organisms or cancerous cells. In popular usage, it refers to antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer or the combination of these drugs into a cytotoxic standardized treatment regimen...

 known as HIPEC in an attempt to eradicate residual disease. The surgery may or may not be preceded or followed with intravenous chemotherapy.

In 1998, patients and family caregivers in the US, UK and Holland, realized the need to exchange resources about medical options, clinical trials, research, preparation and recuperation from surgery, assistance with health insurance, etc.

This need for personal interaction among patients was not being met via internet message boards and forums, thus appendiceal cancer patients created the PMP Pals' Network, providing opportunities for the personal and direct exchange of resources.

During the past decade, the PMP Pals' Network of volunteers has expanded to include 45 countries and assist patients in 12 languages.

External links