Appendix Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Appendix Cancer?

Appendix cancer is usually treated by a surgical oncologist, a surgeon who treats cancer, sometimes with a colorectal surgeon. You should see an expert in appendiceal cancer treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is appendix cancer?

Appendix cancer, also called appendiceal cancer, is a rare cancer that grows from cells that make up the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch of tissue in the abdomen. It is part of the intestines and colon, which absorb nutrients and remove waste from the body. Doctors do not know what the appendix does, but it may help the immune system.

There are two main types. Epithelial appendiceal cancer grows from the cells that make up the lining of the appendix. It may also be called adenocarcinoma. Neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer grows from other cells and is the most common type. It is also called a carcinoid tumor. These tumors start in cells of the neuroendocrine system, which are cells that act like nerve cells and hormone-making cells.

Symptoms

Many people with appendix cancer do not have symptoms when the cancer first starts. Later, when the tumor gets larger, symptoms can include:

  • Pain.
  • Feeling bloated or a growing belly size.
  • A mass in the abdomen.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Feeling full soon after starting to eat.

Many people are diagnosed after the appendix is removed when doctors believed they had appendicitis. In people without symptoms, tumors can also be found on an imaging test done for another reason.

Causes and who gets it

Doctors do not yet know what causes appendix cancer. Appendix cancer is not known to run in families. It is very rare. In the US, it has been thought to affect about 1 or 2 people per 1 million per year. Recent studies show it is becoming more common. It is more common in people between 50 and 55 years old, but it can happen at any age.

How doctors diagnose it

If you have symptoms, a doctor will use scans such as CT and MRI to look at the appendix. These scans take pictures inside the body. To check whether a tumor is cancer, a doctor does a biopsy, taking a small sample with a needle. A pathologist, a doctor who studies cells under a microscope, looks at the sample. A laparoscopy, a procedure that uses an instrument placed in the belly to view the organs, may also be used. Lab tests of your blood check protein levels that may help decide the stage, which means how advanced the cancer is.

Treatment

Treatment for each patient is unique. You should go to an expert in appendiceal cancer treatment. Surgery may remove the appendix and any other organs or tissue in the abdomen and pelvic area that may be affected. When the cancer has spread to other parts of the abdomen, chemotherapy is used to kill the cancer cells. In some cases, a specific way of giving chemotherapy called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC, is used. This treatment uses hot chemicals to wash the inside of the abdomen during surgery.

When to see a doctor

Call 911 or go to the emergency room for severe belly pain, severe or ongoing vomiting, or vomiting blood. See a doctor if you have symptoms of appendix cancer, such as ongoing belly pain, bloating, or a lump in the abdomen. The doctor can use scans such as CT and MRI to look for a cause. Treatment for each patient is unique, so you should go to an expert in appendiceal cancer treatment to decide the best approach.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Cancer care involves many visits and scans. A primary care doctor can help coordinate appointments with your surgeon and cancer doctors and support your care between treatments.

Common questions

Is appendix cancer rare?

Yes. In the US, it has been thought to affect about 1 or 2 people per 1 million per year. Recent studies show it is becoming more common. It can happen at any age but is more common around age 50 to 55.

Does appendix cancer run in families?

No. Appendix cancer is not known to run in families. Doctors do not yet know what causes appendix cancer.

What is the most common type of appendix cancer?

Neuroendocrine tumors, also called carcinoid tumors, are the most common type. They grow from cells that make chemicals used in digestion. Many people with appendix cancer are diagnosed after the appendix is removed when appendicitis is suspected.

What is HIPEC?

It stands for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. It is a specific way of giving chemotherapy during surgery. Hot chemicals are used to wash the inside of the abdomen. It is used when the cancer has spread inside the abdomen.

Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute - Appendiceal Cancer
  2. American Cancer Society - What Is a Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor?

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.