Current Research

Research about appendix cancer is ongoing, but is hampered by the rare nature of the disease. Because appendix cancer is uncommon, appendix cancer-specific clinical trials may be challenging to find. However, patients are encouraged to talk with their doctors about broader clinical trials that may be open to them, such as those studying gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors or studies focused on colorectal cancer. The following advances may still be under investigation and may not be approved or available at this time. Always discuss all diagnostic and treatment options with your doctor.

Enhanced delivery of chemotherapy. Doctors are looking for different ways to deliver chemotherapy to the abdomen. One new approach is called hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This is similar to the hyperthermic peritoneal (local) chemotherapy described under Treatment, but the drugs are delivered directly to the open abdomen during debulking surgery, instead of after surgery using implanted tubes.

Combination chemotherapy. Research is underway to determine the best combinations of different drugs that are the most effective for appendix cancer.

Supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing side effects of current appendix cancer treatments, in order to improve patients’ quality of life.