Top physicians and most advanced care

Our patients have access to the top fellowship-trained surgeons and the most advanced science-based technologies and treatments for the various types of tumors that can start in the appendix:

• Carcinoid tumor, which accounts for 50 percent of appendix tumors. These tumors most often start in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or lungs, but may occur in the pancreas, testicles in men or ovaries in women. 
• Mucinous adenocarcinoma (swelling or sacs in the appendix wall) can be benign or malignant, like polyps in the colon.
• Colonic-type adenocarcinoma accounts for about 10 percent of appendix tumors and usually occurs at the base of the appendix. 
• Signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma is an aggressive and rare cancer that usually occurs in the stomach or colon.  
• Adenocarcinoid tumors, also called goblet cell carcinoids, have features of both adenocarcinomas and carcinoid tumors. They are more aggressive than carcinoid tumors, and treatment is often similar to adenocarcinoma.
• Paraganglioma is a rare benign tumor that is often found near the adrenal glands and some blood vessels and nerves including in the head and neck region of the body. 

Surgery is the most common treatment for appendix cancer. Our team uses the most advanced techniques whenever possible, to offer you the best outcome.  

• Appendectomy, or removal of the appendix
• Cytoreductive, or tumor-removing surgery
• Hemicolectomy
• Additional organ resection if warranted (including, but not limited to, small bowel, splenectomy, gastrectomy, etc)
• Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy or HIPEC, is a heated chemotherapy that is administered at the same time of a cytoreductive cancer surgery

Depending on the disease type, your treatment plan may also include the administration of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, either before or after surgery.

Support every step of the way

Your multidisciplinary team at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute will provide you with the answers, support, and resources at every step of your cancer treatment and recovery and includes: