How is appendix cancer treated?
Every patient at Miami Cancer Institute receives a personalized treatment plan put together by our team of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and interventional oncologists.
Gastrointestinal oncologists at Miami Cancer Institute participate in multidisciplinary tumor boards, which allow them to collaborate with other specialists to determine the best treatment option for your cancer. With these expert opinions weighing in on your treatment, it is similar to having second and third opinions on your diagnosis – all under one roof.
Our philosophy is to find the plan that not only treats the cancer, but also fits you as a patient. Your care team will consider your specific diagnosis and type of tumor, the stage of disease, size and location of tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. We also work closely with physical therapists, nurses, nutritionists and psychosocial experts to ensure we address any potential side effects of treatment.
Surgery is often the first step to treating appendix cancer. Several different types of surgery are used to treat appendix cancer. Your care team will work with you to choose a surgery based on the size of your tumor, its location and stage. Surgery options may include:
- Removing the appendix (appendectomy). This is usually done if the tumor has not spread to other organs.
- Removing the appendix and part of the colon next to the appendix (hemicolectomy). Your surgeons will reattach the rest of the colon to make sure it functions properly.
- Removing the tumor and organs that may be attached to the tumor, such as the gallbladder, ovaries, uterus, spleen and intestine (cytoreductive or debulking surgery).
If you undergo surgery to treat your cancer, our specialists will work with you to provide a faster, less painful recovery process that involves fewer tubes and drains. Miami Cancer Institute is well-known for this enhanced recovery program, which aims to improve the patient experience before and after surgery.
If your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, your care team may consider additional treatments, including:
- Chemotherapy. This treatment users medicine – or several medicines – to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy treatment may come before or after surgery.
- Radiation therapy. This treatment uses image-guided radiation to kill cancer cells. At Miami Cancer Institute, our advanced radiation oncology department gives patients access to every form of radiation treatment, all available under one roof.
