What are the different types of appendix tumors?

What are the different types of appendix tumors?

There are several benign and malignant tumors that can develop in the appendix, including carcinoid tumors, mucinous cystadenomas and appendiceal adenocarcinomas.

Carcinoid tumors

Approximately half of all appendix cancers are carcinoid tumors. They affect neuroendocrine cells, which receive signals from the nervous system and release hormones. In most cases, carcinoid tumors are slow-growing.

Mucinous cystadenoma

These noncancerous tumors form in the epithelium (lining) of the appendix. Mucinous cystadenomas won’t spread to other parts of your body as long as the appendix remains intact.

Appendiceal adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma cancers start in the glandular tissue that lines your organs. There are several categories of appendiceal adenocarcinoma, including:

• Mucinous adenocarcinoma. This is the second most common type of appendix cancer, just after carcinoid tumors. Mucinous adenocarcinomas start in the lining of your appendix and they release mucin — a component of mucus.
• Colonic-type adenocarcinoma. These tumors develop near the base of your appendix. They’re much like colorectal cancer tumors and cause many of the same symptoms.
• Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. This aggressive tumor is rare, but it can occasionally form in the appendix. The cancer cells secrete and store large amounts of mucin. It’s called signet ring adenocarcinoma because the cancer cells have a signet ring appearance under a microscope.