Appendix Cancer Cases Rising Sharply in Young Adults, New research Shows
Nashville, TN - A concerning trend is emerging: appendix cancer is increasing at an alarming rate among individuals under 50, according to recent studies published in Gastroenterology and teh Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre have documented a notable rise in diagnoses, prompting examination into potential causes.
The studies reveal that the incidence of appendix cancer has been steadily climbing for decades, with a particularly noticeable surge in recent years. Data indicates that between 2000 and 2018, the rate of appendix cancer diagnoses increased by 2.35% annually in the United States. This rise mirrors a broader trend of increasing cancer rates in younger adults, with overall cancer diagnoses in those under 50 jumping nearly 80 percent in three decades, according to a 2023 global study.
“I certainly see patients in their 20s and 30s who have advanced appendix tumors that we take care of,” said Steven Ahrendt, a surgical oncologist at the University of colorado, who was not involved in the Vanderbilt research. He noted the increase aligns with rising rates of colon cancer in young adults, suggesting similar underlying factors might potentially be at play.
While the exact reasons for this surge remain unclear, experts are exploring a range of potential contributors. Diet and sleep patterns are under scrutiny, with ultra-processed foods and alcohol consumption identified as possibly significant risk factors. an international review in 2022 pinpointed gastrointestinal cancers - including those of the bowel, appendix, bile duct, and pancreas – as showing the most ample increases.
Environmental factors are also being investigated,including exposure to ”forever chemicals” contaminating drinking water and the potential impact of microplastics. Vanderbilt researcher Nitya Holowatyj and her team are continuing to study risk factors and the underlying causes of this rare cancer.
“As a rare cancer, appendix cancer garners limited attention,” Holowatyj stated on her Vanderbilt lab website. “Our team is passionately committed to driving marked advances in our understanding of this disease for our patients.”
