A rare type of cancer is rising sharply among millennials and Generation X, according to new research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The study reveals that diagnoses of appendix cancer have tripled in the United States for people born between 1976 and 1984. For those born between 1981 and 1989, the rate has quadrupled.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program to reach these conclusions.
“When you look at the rising rates of appendiceal cancer across generations—alongside the fact that one in three patients is diagnosed before age 50—it’s clear we need more awareness of this disease,” said lead author Dr. Andreana Holowatyj, assistant professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt, in a university press release.
Although appendix cancer is rare—affecting only one to two people per million each year in the U.S.—doctors stress the importance of early detection.
“Ruling out or diagnosing appendix cancer early is critical as we work to understand the factors behind this troubling trend,” Holowatyj added.
Appendiceal cancer develops in the appendix, a small organ in the lower right side of the abdomen. There are two main types:
- Epithelial appendiceal cancer, which affects the lining of the appendix
- Neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors, which involve hormone-producing cells
In the early stages, most patients do not experience symptoms. As the cancer progresses, it may cause abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness, or a noticeable mass in the abdomen.
Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the appendix and nearby organs if needed. Chemotherapy may follow to treat any spread of the disease.
Researchers are urging more education and awareness among both the public and medical professionals.
“As rising rates in younger people often signal future disease burden, we need further research focused on appendiceal adenocarcinoma,” the study stated.
There are currently no standard screening methods or clearly defined risk factors for appendix cancer. As a result, many cases—up to half—are diagnosed after the disease has already spread.
The five-year survival rate varies widely, ranging from 10% to 63%, depending on the cancer’s type and stage at diagnosis.
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