Appendix Cancer Diagnosis

No other center in Georgia sees as many appendix cancer cases as we do, which means our physicians are far more experienced in diagnosing and treating your cancer than anywhere else in the state. That’s important because your specific diagnosis will help determine your treatment plan. But we don’t stop there. We go beyond appendix cancer diagnosis to analyze your cancer on a molecular level to find out exactly what’s driving it — so we can figure out the most-precise, least-invasive way to stop it.

Appendix cancer is often found incidentally, meaning it’s detected by chance after a surgical procedure or imaging test for a different condition reveals malignant growth on or in the appendix. In many cases, appendix cancer is found after a patient has had their appendix removed because of suspected appendicitis, painful inflammation of the appendix. However, most people who have their appendix removed do not have cancer. Appendix cancers can also show up on computed tomography (CT) imaging tests for other conditions.

Because no two appendix cancers are the same — even those that are the same type and stage — your cancer will differ from that of another patient. At Winship, we take a multi-stage approach to ensure every patient gets a thorough and accurate appendix cancer diagnosis. It’s imperative we understand your cancer to treat it properly. Our patients are often anxious to move forward with treatment, but we reassure them that getting a full and precise appendix cancer diagnosis is critical, and it won’t take long.

Diagnostic imaging. At Winship, we use the latest CT technology to diagnose appendix cancer and determine whether or how far the disease has spread within the body. Our radiologists — doctors who read and interpret various types of medical imaging— specialize in identifying gastrointestinal cancers and are experts at locating and analyzing appendix cancers.

Needle biopsy. To confirm an appendix cancer diagnosis, your doctor will need to collect a tissue sample (biopsy) that will then be tested for cancer in a lab. In some cases, our interventional radiologists can collect a sample using a needle with CT or ultrasound imaging guidance.

Surgical biopsy. If a tissue sample can’t be obtained through needle biopsy, you will need to undergo surgery to biopsy the tumor and check for cancer. This is frequently done at the same time as appendectomy (surgery to remove the appendix).

Molecular pathology. If your tumor is determined to be cancerous, our molecular pathologists will conduct genomic profiling to look at the DNA inside your tumor to identify any genetic mutations and biomarkers, or cell characteristics. Winship scientists, genomic and tumor sequencing experts will analyze what’s driving your particular appendix cancer and then work with your oncologists to determine which types of treatment will work best against your cancer.