Appendix cancer can remain undiagnosed early on unless discovered during abdominal surgery or an imaging test for
another condition. If appendix cancer is suspected, the surgeon would perform a biopsy. Treatments for appendix
cancer include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC)
HIPEC may be recommended if appendix cancer spreads to the lining of the abdominal cavity. HIPEC is typically
started immediately following the surgery to remove any visible tumors. In this process, a chemotherapy
solution is heated to 108 degrees Fahrenheit and poured into the abdominal cavity, where it is circulated
for 90 minutes to reach cancerous cells that may not be visible to the naked eye. This direct application
allows for a heavier dose of medication directly to the cancer cells; the heat causes the cancerous tissue
to be even more sensitive to the treatment.
For additional information on programs, services and locations, download and print the following PDFs:
St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Program Guide
St. Luke’s Infusion Centers Guide
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