Appendix Cancer

Primary appendix cancer (cancer that starts in the appendix) is uncommon, and statistics for appendix cancer are typically included as part of colorectal cancer data. It is estimated that about 1% of colorectal cancer cases in the United States are primary appendix cancer, affecting about 1,500 people each year.

The overall five-year survival rate (percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) of people with appendix cancer varies depending on several factors, including the type of tumor.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with appendix cancer. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics.

Source: The National Cancer Institute and Sugarbaker, Paul. “New standard of care for appendiceal epithelial neoplasms and pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome?” Lancet Oncology. January 2006; 7(1):69-76.