Latest Research on Appendix Cancer

Executive Summary

Several research studies have been conducted to seek more information on appendix cancer, their diagnostic approach at the initial phase, and the best treatments and cure strategies. The patients are recommended to communicate with their doctor regarding the latest advanced appendix cancer management. The research study on gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors or colorectal cancer has been studied. The advances in chemotherapy have involved the method of the Hyperthermia intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) method, keeping in mind the appropriate drug administration process as per the surgery types. Research on new targeted therapies is integrated while determining the most effective drug combination for treating appendix cancer. The quality and comfort of the patient’s life are improved by adopting palliative care and supportive services from the healthcare team. 

Advances in Appendix Cancer

Doctors are working or doing a research to understand more about appendix cancer, including how to avoid it, how to treat it, and how to care for patients who have been diagnosed with it.

Appendix cancer research is difficult due to the disease’s rarity. As a result, appendix cancer clinical trials may be difficult to come by. Patients are urged to speak with their doctors about broader clinical studies, such as those researching gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors or colorectal cancer, that may be available to them.

Clinical trials may provide new alternatives for patients in the following research areas. Always consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment choices for you.

Chemotherapy delivery is improved:

Doctors are experimenting with several methods for delivering chemotherapy to the abdomen. Hyperthermia intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy is one method (HIPEC). This is identical to the hyperthermia peritoneal (local) chemotherapy described in Types of Treatment, except that the medications are administered to the open abdomen during debulking surgery rather than afterwards ​1​.

Combining cancer medications:

Research is underway to find the most effective drug combinations for treating appendix cancer. New drugs are being developed to treat neuroendocrine tumors. While traditional chemotherapy has proven ineffective in treating metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, there is a lot of research into new targeted therapies for these cancers as more is learned about them ​2,3​.

Supportive care/palliative care:

Clinical trials are currently being conducted to find new ways to reduce the symptoms and side effects of current appendix cancer treatments to improve patients’ comfort and quality of life ​4,5​.

References

  1. 1.
    Tejani M, ter V, Milne D, et al. Systemic therapy for advanced appendiceal adenocarcinoma: an analysis from the NCCN Oncology Outcomes Database for colorectal cancer. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2014;12(8):1123-1130. doi:10.6004/jnccn.2014.0109
  2. 2.
    Khan F, Vogel R, Diep G, Tuttle T, Lou E. Prognostic factors for survival in advanced appendiceal cancers. Cancer Biomark. 2016;17(4):457-462. doi:10.3233/CBM-160662
  3. 3.
    Borazanci E, Millis S, Kimbrough J, Doll N, Von H, Ramanathan R. Potential actionable targets in appendiceal cancer detected by immunohistochemistry, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and mutational analysis. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2017;8(1):164-172. doi:10.21037/jgo.2017.01.14
  4. 4.
    Kelly K. Management of Appendix Cancer. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(4):247-255. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1564433
  5. 5.
    Stein S, Raymond D. Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma Presenting As Perforated Appendicitis. Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13578. doi:10.7759/cureus.13578