A Rare Cancer Becoming More Common
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found that appendix cancer is increasing, especially among younger generations like Millennials and Gen X.
Key Findings:
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Generation X (born in the 1960s–70s) has 2 to 3 times higher rates than those born in the 1940s.
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Older Millennials (born in the 1980s) have over 4 times higher rates.
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Even so, appendix cancer is still rare, with about 3,000 cases per year in the U.S.
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By comparison, colon and rectal cancers have more than 150,000 cases annually.
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(Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2024)
Why Are Rates Going Up?
Possible Reasons:
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Generational (birth cohort) effect: People born after the 1960s may have been exposed to more cancer risk factors.
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Shared risk factors with other cancers, like colon and stomach cancer, may be involved.
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Better diagnosis: In the past, some appendix cancers may have been incorrectly labeled as colon cancer.
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Lifestyle and health trends may also play a role.
“It’s unlikely this increase is just from better detection,”
— Dr. Andreana Holowatyj, lead researcher, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Risk Factors Being Studied
Though more research is needed, scientists believe the following may contribute:
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Diet:
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More ultraprocessed foods, like sugary drinks and processed meats
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Obesity and diabetes:
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Rising among younger people
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Alcohol use
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Changes in gut bacteria (microbiome)
(Source: Comments from Dr. Andrew T. Chan, Massachusetts General Hospital)
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Appendix cancer is often hard to detect early.
Common Symptoms:
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Bloating
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Abdominal pain
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Feeling tired or “off”
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Symptoms may last for months, unlike the sharp pain of appendicitis
“There’s a window for early intervention,”
— Dr. Holowatyj
A Personal Story: Richard Thoma
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Diagnosed in 2023 after months of unexplained fatigue and bloating
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Found to have cancer in his appendix and abdomen
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Underwent a 12-hour surgery to remove:
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Parts of his colon, stomach, spleen, gallbladder, and rectum
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Received heated chemotherapy directly in the abdomen
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Had a recurrence in 2024, but today shows no signs of cancer
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Plans to run the New York City Marathon to raise awareness
“They call it the mother of all surgeries,”
— Richard Thoma
What’s Next in Research
Because appendix cancer is so rare, scientists are still learning about it.
Current Research Efforts:
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Appendiceal Cancer Consortium is gathering data to better understand:
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Biological markers
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Genetic and environmental risk factors
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Long-Term Goals:
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Improve awareness of symptoms
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Make earlier diagnosis possible
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Develop screening tools
Bottom Line
Appendix cancer is still very rare but is rising among younger generations. Scientists are trying to understand why. Awareness of the symptoms and support for ongoing research could help improve outcomes in the future.
Sources
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Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2024
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Interviews and expert comments from:
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Dr. Andrea Cercek, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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Dr. Andrew T. Chan, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Dr. Andreana Holowatyj, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
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