Appendiceal cancer is a rare type of cancer that starts in the appendix, a small tube attached to your large intestine. The causes of appendiceal cancer are still mostly unknown. Several factors, including age, gender, particular medical conditions, and genetic factors like a family history of certain disorders, have been linked to an increased chance of this cellular failure, even if the causes of appendiceal cancer are unknown. In this article, we’ll explore the causes and risk factors of this condition.
How is Appendiceal Cancer Caused?
The exact causes of appendiceal cancer are not well understood, and there are no identified avoidable risk factors. Several factors have been observed in association with this condition, including:
- Pernicious Anaemia:
- It has been studied that vitamin B12 deficiency, which causes pernicious anaemia, could be a risk factor.
- Atrophic Gastritis:
- It has been proposed that this long-lasting stomach lining inflammation, also known as atrophic gastritis, may be one of the appendiceal cancer causes.
- The development of cancer may be influenced by persistent inflammation.
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:
- An increased risk of appendix cancer has been linked to Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rare digestive tract condition characterised by excessive production of stomach acid.
- Family history of MEN1:
- People who have a family history of MEN1, a genetic condition that predisposes people to cancers in hormone-producing glands, may be more likely to develop appendiceal cancer.
- Smoking:
- It has been proposed that smoking might be a potential appendix cancer cause.
- The appendix could potentially develop malignant alterations as a result of the toxins found in cigarette smoke.