Appendiceal Cancer
What is Appendiceal Cancer?
Neoplasms of the appendix account for only about 0.5% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms, but they form a heterogeneous group that requires specific therapy depending on what the entity is. In other terms, appendiceal neoplasms are rare tumours, with an age adjusted annual incidence of 6 cases per 1,000,000 people in recent years (Köhler et al., 2023.).
Often, tumours of the appendix are found incidentally, and are adequately treated during the appendectomy. In other cases, metastasized tumors lead to ascites, compression related disruptions of the gastrointestinal passage, and abdominal pain (Köhler et al., 2023.).
About Appendix
The appendix can have a variable length, ranging from 5 to 35 cm, an average of 9 cm. The function of the appendix has traditionally been a topic of debate, as there is no clear evidence for its function in humans. The neuroendocrine cells in the mucosa of appendix produce amines and hormones to assist with biological mechanisms.
Types of Appendix cancers
There are two types of appendiceal cancer:
- Epithelial appendiceal cancer – it originates from the cells lining the appendix, often referred to as adenocarcinoma. These cells produce a slimy substance known as mucin.
- Neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer – it grows from cells called enterochromaffin cells (ECs). ECs make chemicals involved in digestion and movement in the intestines. Neuroendocrine tumours of the appendix are the most common type of appendiceal cancer (Van de Moortele et al., 2020, p. 441).
Literature
1. Köhler, F., Matthes, N., Rosenfeldt, M., Kunzmann, V., Germer, C. T., & Wiegering, A. (2023). Neoplasms of the Appendix. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 120(31-32), 519–525. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0136
2. Van de Moortele, M., De Hertogh, G., Sagaert, X., & Van Cutsem, E. (2020). Appendiceal cancer : a review of the literature. Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica, 83(3), 441–448.