Adenocarcinoid Tumor
What is Adenocarcinoid Tumor?
Adenocarcinoid Tumor is a rare tumor of the appendix occuring in apporximately 1 per 2 million people. The disease affects women and men in equal proportions and has an average age of diagnosis at between 50 and 55 years of age.
In female patients, the tumor can spread to the ovaries and is some times misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer.
What are the symptoms of Adenocarcinoid Tumor?
Adenocarcinoid Tumor has the following symptoms:
- Right lower abdominal pain similar to the pain experienced in appendicitis
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal mass
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis – growth of cancer cells in the abdominal cavity
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Low-grade fever.
What causes Adenocarcinoid Tumor?
Adenocarcinoid tumor is not completely understood. There are no genetic, familial or environmental factors known to cause this disorder. It does not run in families.
How is Adenocarcinoid Tumor diagnosed?
Adenocarcinoid Tumor is diagnosed in the following ways:
- Signs and symptoms
- Family history
- Physical exam
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
- Imaging tests
What are the treatments for Adenocarcinoid Tumor?
- Adenocarcinoid Tumory is usually treated by removal of the infected tissue. It’s a very rare disease, so even this approach has very little data to guide its use. Blood tests, imaging studies and physical exams will be done on a regular basis as a follow up. Sometimes, chemotherapy is also used in conjunction with surgery.
