Tumors in the appendix are very rare, and cancer of the appendix is even rarer. Patients usually don’t even notice that they have tumors in the appendix until it causes a blockage or when the patient undergoes imaging tests.
If a patient has a tumor or cancer in their appendix, the usual process would be to just take out the appendix completely. However, if tests show that the growth is cancerous, a patient might undergo more tests to ensure that cancer has not yet spread to other parts of the body.
3. Trauma or injury
Lastly, doctors have also found that appendicitis can occur in patients who have experienced trauma or injury to their abdomen.
Usually, when a person experiences blunt trauma to their abdomen, the intestines and other organs in the abdomen get injured. But in very rare cases, the appendix can also be damaged.
What happens is that a hematoma or sometimes, impacted stool, can block the appendix. Bacteria can then build up inside the appendix, causing inflammation and appendicitis.
Patients might need to undergo additional tests in order to diagnose appendicitis caused by trauma or injury. This is why it’s important for patients to also be mindful of their symptoms, and don’t hesitate to talk to their doctor if they feel something might be wrong.
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