Also known as appendical cancer, this is a slow-growing cancer that originates in the appendix, a pouch-like organ attached to the colon (the first part of the large intestine). When this disease occurs, the cells in the appendix start to multiply uncontrollably and in an abnormal way to form a tumor (growth of tissues). The tumor can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) in severity level and aggression. In later case, it can easily spread to other organs.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms can be non-specific sometimes; it means these can also occur in other diseases as well. Most common of these are:
Several tests are carried out for detecting purposes. These include:
The size and the location of the tumor determine the type of treatment given to the affected person. The greater the size and spread to other parts of the body, the serious is the management. It makes the procedures more complicated and with low recovery rate in this situation. A team of doctors works together to figure out the best and the most effective cure suitable for the patient. Standard treatments include:
A follow-up care plan is highly essential after the patient has fully recovered from the disease. It includes:
Major risk factors
Some risk factors can have a deep impact upon the cancer but all of them are not necessarily a definite causative agent for this ailment. There are many cases observed so far, where people have all such factors but luckily do not get any cancer, while the others with no such risk develop this disease.
The purpose of creating awareness about the things that might increase the occurrence of cancer is to convince people to bring positive changes in their health care plan and lifestyle. It surely will help a great deal in the reduction of new cases. It mostly affects people at the age of 40 or above.
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Signs and symptoms
The symptoms can be non-specific sometimes; it means these can also occur in other diseases as well. Most common of these are:
- Appendicitis
- Bloating in lower abdomen
- Severe pain in pelvis or the affected area
- Fluid in the abdomen(Ascites)
- Bowel function disturbance
- Infertility (not being able to conceive)
- Increase waistline size that may or may not make the naval (belly button) protruded.
Several tests are carried out for detecting purposes. These include:
- Biopsy
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Ultrasound
- OctreoScan (Radionuclide scanning)
- CT scan (computed tomography scan)
- The type of staging of the cancer
- Results for previous tests
- Severity of the symptoms occurred
- Age of the individual
- General health and medical condition
The size and the location of the tumor determine the type of treatment given to the affected person. The greater the size and spread to other parts of the body, the serious is the management. It makes the procedures more complicated and with low recovery rate in this situation. A team of doctors works together to figure out the best and the most effective cure suitable for the patient. Standard treatments include:
- Surgery
- Appendectomy
- Chemotherapy that can be:
- Intraperitoneal/local chemotherapy
- Systemic chemotherapy
- Debulking surgery
- Hemicolectomy
- Removal of the peritoneum
- Radiation therapy
- Combination chemotherapy that is about combining different drugs to make them work more effectively and faster than currently used procedures.
- Hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which is similar to local chemotherapy but, the method of implementing is different from the other.
A follow-up care plan is highly essential after the patient has fully recovered from the disease. It includes:
- Regular medical check-ups
- Avoiding betel nuts, paan and some dietary items
- Staying physically relaxed all the time
- Refraining from climbing stairs, walking too fast, jogging, running, aerobics, cycling, swimming and other rigorous movements
- Staying away from tobacco smoking and alcohol
- Maintaining the right body weight
- A healthy diet
- Having cancer screening tests
Major risk factors
Some risk factors can have a deep impact upon the cancer but all of them are not necessarily a definite causative agent for this ailment. There are many cases observed so far, where people have all such factors but luckily do not get any cancer, while the others with no such risk develop this disease.
The purpose of creating awareness about the things that might increase the occurrence of cancer is to convince people to bring positive changes in their health care plan and lifestyle. It surely will help a great deal in the reduction of new cases. It mostly affects people at the age of 40 or above.
Related Stories:
