When we talk about health issues that affect your appendix, the conversation typically begins and ends with appendicitis, but there are other conditions that can develop in your appendix that shouldn’t be overlooked. One such issue is a carcinoid tumor, which is a slow growing tumor that develops somewhere inside the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the appendix. Here’s a closer look at how carcinoid tumors of the appendix are treated.

Appendix Tumors

Carcinoid tumors in the gut account for approximately one-third of all the tumors in the small intestine and nearly 50 percent of all malignant tumors of the small intestine. Similar types of tumors can be found in the lungs and ovaries.

Similar to other types of cancers, carcinoid tumors can generally be treated fairly easily when they are discovered early. When found in their early stage, carcinoid tumors can oftentimes be cured completely with a simple surgical operation. As we mentioned above, carcinoid tumors are slow-developing tumors, which is both good and bad. Their slow development gives doctors more time to catch the tumor in an early stage, but because of their slow progression, symptoms typically don’t arise for many years, meaning early detection is tricky.

Symptoms of carcinoid tumors of the appendix can be hard to detect because their symptoms mimic other, more common conditions. Here are some symptoms that may signal you are dealing with a carcinoid tumor.

• Abdominal cramps
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Muscle weakness
• Thinning of the skin
• Increased blood pressure
• Weight gain

Diagnosis and Treatment of Appendix Tumors

Since symptoms and tumor progression is slow, oftentimes these types of tumors are found on accident during other routine exams. Doctors often find these tumors during a colonoscopy or a blood or urine test. If your doctor believes you may be dealing with a tumor, he or she will confirm the diagnosis with a round of imaging tests and an eventual biopsy to determine if the tumor is cancerous.

After you’ve been diagnosed, your doctor will walk you through the treatment options. As we mentioned above, when caught early, the tumor can almost always be successfully removed with a surgical procedure. If the tumor has spread to other areas, surgery to remove the tumor may still be performed, but you also may need a combination of other treatments. Some of these additional treatments include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Medication
• Ablation

So if you’re experiencing stomach or intestinal discomfort, or you’re overdue for a colonoscopy, do right by your body and consult with an expert. It could be a lifesaver.