Appendix Cancer

Your Winship care team draws on Emory’s vast resources in surgical oncology, radiation therapy and medical oncology, to provide the newest, most effective practices and treatments. Our multidisciplinary care teams include oncology surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, pharmacists and advanced practice nurses with expertise in appendiceal cancer.

As specialists, our teams develop groundbreaking surgeries and treatments that produce better outcomes and are adopted by other leading cancer centers.

Request an Appointment

If you have been diagnosed with appendiceal cancer, we are ready to help you. Call us at (404) 778-0032 to make an appointment. Winship experts are available for a second opinion.

We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Learn what to expect on your first visit.

Early stage appendix cancer does not have any symptoms and the disease is often found during abdominal surgery for another condition. A biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis.

A blood and urine test and imaging tests may be performed to determine if the disease has spread.

Your care team will discuss treatment options with you and it is important to take time and consider all possible choices. It is also important to know that your chances for having the best possible outcome are highest in the hands of a medical team that is experienced in treating appendix cancer.

For carcinoid tumors:

Surgery is the main treatment method for appendix cancer. An operation may be done to remove the appendix, right colon and surrounding lymph nodes. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery to maximize the treatment.

For non-carcinoid tumors:

In these types of tumors, the cancer has spread or metastasized within the abdomen. Several different methods may be used during treatment.

Cytoreductive surgery: the tumor is surgically removed along with parts of the intestine, gallbladder, lining of the abdomen and for women, the ovaries and uterus are also removed.

For adenocarcinoid tumors:

Treatment may include surgery to remove the right part of the colon, cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC, and chemotherapy before surgery.

Winship’s most promising research in treating appendix cancer is in personalized medicine and targeted therapies. In personalized medicine, researchers identify unique characteristics of tumors that make them vulnerable to known drugs so therapy can be tailored to an individual’s cancer. In targeted therapies, investigators look for new drugs that more selectively target cancer cells with fewer side effects.

Supportive Oncology Care

In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.