Appendicular Cancer and their Treatment

 Introduction

“You have appendicular cancer”. I still remember my mental state when heard these words. I did not know what appendicular cancer really was or how will I go about my treatment. However, the best cancer specialist in Kolkata helped me understand the disease and go through the treatment option.

Surgery, the most common treatment

The most common treatment for appendix cancer is surgery. There are many different options to go through. A cancer specialist will be best able to recommend which would be your best option. Here are the options which were notified to me: -

• Hemicolectomy – This was the operation which I was recommended. It is required for neuroendocrine tumors larger than 2 cm or appendix cancers. A part of the colon next to the appendix is removed in this operation. Nearby blood vessels and lymph nodes are also removed. 
• Debulking surgery - Debulking surgery may be considered for later-stage appendix cancer. The doctor removes the bulk of the tumor as much as possible. It may not remove every cancer cell from the body, however, it certainly benefits the patient. Debulking can also be followed by chemotherapy.

• Removal of the peritoneum - Aggressive surgery is sometimes recommended to remove the peritoneum in order to remove as much bulk of the tumor as possible. Low-grade appendix cancer does not require this surgery.

This operation can be effective in patients with a very slow-growing tumor. Removing the majority of the cancer cells can benefit the patient by reducing the amount of cancer. However, the operation can have significant side effects. A cancer specialist will consider many different factors, before recommending this surgery. 

Medication to kill cancer

Medication can also be used to destroy cancer cells. Medicine can be given intravenously to reach cancer cells or orally in the form of a pill or capsule.

This therapy for appendix cancer includes:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy

I discussed my options for cancer treatment in Kolkata with the best cancer specialist. You should do it too.