Recent studies are analyzing the incidence patterns of some previously relatively rare cancers to understand the age and environmental changes that may explain their increased incidence among certain age groups.
In this regard, a team of researchers from Vanderbilt University in the United States revealed in a recent study that appendix cancer has become more common among people under the age of 50, particularly among millennials (even outpacing the marked increase in colon cancer cases).
The study showed that the risk of developing this type of cancer among millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) increased by up to seven times compared to the "silent" generation (1928–1945). It also increased by twice as much among Generation X (1965–1980), and by 118% among the "baby boomer" generation (1946–1964). In contrast, the "greatest generation" (1901–1927) saw an 80% decrease in risk.
The researchers based their analysis on data from the SEER National Cancer Registry, which documents cancer cases in the United States. Records of 4,858 cases of appendix cancer were analyzed between 1975 and 2019, with cases divided into age groups and rates calibrated according to population distribution.
Although the disease is still relatively rare, with fewer than 3,000 cases reported annually in the United States, incidence rates are rising rapidly. Researchers believe this increase may be linked to recent environmental changes that previous generations were not exposed to.
This type of cancer is shrouded in mystery because its early symptoms mimic more common conditions such as food poisoning or intestinal problems, leading to it being overlooked or misinterpreted. The disease is often discovered only when the appendix is removed due to suspected appendicitis.
Researchers confirm that early diagnosis plays a crucial role, as survival rates five years after the disease is detected range between 67 and 97%, while they drop significantly if the disease is detected after it has spread.
The study indicated that this type of cancer may differ biologically from adenocarcinoma of the colon, complicating diagnostic efforts and highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of its causative factors.
Potential risk factors include obesity, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and genetic factors.
The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
