Diagnosis
Since appendix cancer often does not cause symptoms in its early stages, it is often discovered during surgery or tests for another condition. It is discovered incidentally in 1% of all surgical cases for appendicitis. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. The doctor will conduct a physical examination, take your medical history, and may recommend any of the following tests to diagnose the disease:
Blood/Urine tests
The doctor may recommend blood and urine tests to measure the levels of different substances in the body that may be affected by an appendiceal carcinoid tumor. The doctor will perform a blood chemistry test to check for organ and tissue damage. The doctor may also check the level of chromogranin A, which is a tumor marker for carcinoid tumors, which are very different from appendiceal adenocarcinomas. The doctor may also recommend a 24-hour urine test to check for carcinoid syndrome, which may occur if the cancer has spread to the liver. Other nonspecific tumor markers that may be helpful when undergoing treatment for appendiceal adenocarcinomas include a CEA, CA 19-9, and CA-125.
- Please see Understanding Tumor Markers for more information
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Computed tomography (CT) scan
A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of your internal organs. CT scans can help the doctor identify tumors in and around the appendix, and also whether or not the tumor has spread to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or organs.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
An MRI scan uses radio waves and a strong magnet to create clear and detailed images of body parts. Radio waves are absorbed by the body and then released in a certain pattern, which is translated by a computer in order to show “slices” of the body. An MRI scan produces detailed images of the appendix and surrounding structures, and can help the doctor better examine these areas.
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Ultrasound
Ultrasounds send out sound waves and pick up the echoes as they bounce off body tissues to create a black and white image of a part of the body. An ultrasound can help the doctor determine if there is a tumor in the appendix, how far it has grown through the appendix wall, and whether or not any nearby lymph nodes are enlarged.
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Biopsy
A biopsy consists of the removal and examination of a sample of tissue under a microscope to determine if the tissue is cancerous. A biopsy is the only way to be sure of a diagnosis. If appendix cancer is suspected during surgery for appendicitis or another condition, the doctor will perform a biopsy. If cancer is found, the doctor may recommend additional surgery to remove a margin of healthy tissue around the appendix.
