Chris Williams felt an intense abdominal pain on a September evening in 2021, prompting him to seek emergency medical attention. By morning, the discomfort had escalated, necessitating a visit to the hospital where he was diagnosed with appendicitis and subsequently underwent surgery to remove his appendix. A week later, following the removal of his staples, he received shocking news: a tumor discovered on his appendix had tested positive for cancer.
“They found a tumor sitting on my appendix, and they biopsied that tumor and determined it was cancer,” Williams recalled. At 48, he described the situation as a blessing in disguise, noting that had the tumor not triggered appendicitis, it could have gone undetected until reaching a more advanced stage of cancer. Williams is now cancer-free after successfully completing his treatment in November 2022.
His case is becoming increasingly common, as a recent study reveals a significant rise in appendix cancer diagnoses among younger generations in the United States, specifically Generation X and millennials. The research cited alarming statistics indicating that incidence rates of appendix cancer have more than tripled for individuals born between 1976 and 1984 and quadrupled for those born between 1981 and 1989, when compared to those born from 1941 through 1949. This data covers the years from 1975 to 2019 and was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Andreana Holowatyj, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, expressed her concern, saying, “It’s alarming overall. We’re seeing some of these generational effects for cancers of the colon, the rectum, the stomach, and so that’s one of the reasons why we were curious to explore this in rare appendix cancers.”
The research team, which included members from West Virginia University and the University of Texas Health Science Center, analyzed data from 4,858 patients aged 20 and older who received a diagnosis of appendix cancer during the specified period. The findings indicated a troubling trend, especially among those born after 1945.
While the study did not pinpoint exact reasons for the rising diagnoses, the authors believe the increase is unlikely attributed to improved screening methods, as there are no standardized techniques for detecting appendix cancer. More commonly, such cancers are found incidentally during surgery for appendicitis.
The researchers posited that environmental factors could play a role, stating that there might be risk variables influencing younger generations entering mid-adulthood. For instance, obesity is a known risk factor for appendix cancer and is also connected to colon cancer. Dr. Holowatyj emphasized the importance of identifying these factors to develop effective prevention strategies.
Symptoms of appendix cancer can mimic those of appendicitis, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment may involve surgical removal of the appendix, and in cases of spread, chemotherapy is often employed. As Dr. Holowatyj noted, “This is a disease where, if not caught before the appendix ruptures, tumor cells disperse throughout the abdominal cavity often.” Sadly, this is why diagnosed patients frequently present with metastatic disease.
Dr. Andrea Cercek, co-director of the Center for Early Onset Colorectal and GI Cancers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who did not participate in the study but has treated Williams, added that the rise in early-onset appendix cancer reflects a broader trend in gastrointestinal cancers. She acknowledged the various factors contributing to this trend, including lifestyle and dietary changes, though the specific causes remain elusive.
Despite the uptick in cases, Dr. Cercek termed appendix cancer still as “very rare,” underscoring its importance in the larger context of cancer incidence amongst younger adults.
Reflecting on his experience, Williams, who underwent further treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering, expressed gratitude for the support he received. “I could moan. I could complain. I could say, ‘Woe is me.’ Or I could be grateful that this was found and that there was a solution in terms of treatment,” he stated.
Prior to his diagnosis, Williams believed he was leading a healthy lifestyle, yet he was also managing significant work-related stress, experiencing multiple heart attacks over a short period.
Motivated by his personal health challenges, Williams founded the nonprofit Heart, Body & Soul in Brooklyn, aimed at connecting underserved communities, especially Black men, with resources for physical and mental health, as well as fostering better communication with healthcare providers.
“Especially in the age where we see things happening like men and women being diagnosed at earlier ages with various diseases, I really think it’s important for us to start prioritizing putting a care team together,” he mentioned, underscoring the necessity for a holistic approach to health and wellness.