Alli’s Stage 4 Appendix Cancer Story
Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
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Nine years ago, Alli was diagnosed with colon cancer, but what she actually has was appendix cancer–and she only found that out many years later. She is currently NED, or “no evidence of disease,” and in her words, “It’s taken a lot to get here.”
Alli had initially experienced intense abdominal pain, which had been diagnosed as appendicitis. Her appendix was successfully removed, but its “angry” appearance led her doctors to send it to pathology for a closer look. It was initially diagnosed as colon cancer because it behaved like colorectal cancer. She then underwent surgery to remove a portion of her colon.
Alli was declared NED and enjoyed 7 years of being cancer-free before she experienced what seemed to be a recurrence of her colon cancer–but her doctors finally determined that what she had was actually stage 4 appendix cancer.
Alli is sharing her story with us today not only to stress the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment as well as advocating for oneself, but also to help shift perspectives regarding stage 4 cancer and how it may not necessarily be a death sentence; to establish the importance of properly listening to one’s body; and to reframe healing after cancer as an opportunity to build a better, more complete version of the person one used to be.
- Name: Alli M.
- Diagnosis:
- Appendix cancer
- Staging:
- Stage 4
- Symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Treatment:
- Surgery (right hemi colectomy, appendectomy, HIPEC)
- Chemotherapy (adjuvant chemo in 2014; after recurrence, 6 rounds of oxaliplatin with avastin and xeloda)
This interview has been edited for clarity. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider for treatment decisions.
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Lindsay B., LAMN Appendix Cancer
Symptoms: Increasing urge to urinate
Treatments: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
Faye L., Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (Rare Appendix Cancer)
Symptoms: Severe bloating, bad stomachache, elevated CA 125 and tumor markers
Treatments: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with mitomycin C (HIPEC) surgery; removal of spleen, gallbladder, appendix, ovaries, uterus, womb, fallopian tubes, belly button
Alli M., Appendix Cancer, Stage 4
Symptom: Severe abdominal pain
Treatments: Surgery (right hemisphere colectomy, appendectomy, HIPEC), chemotherapy (adjuvant chemo in 2014; after recurrence, 6 rounds of oxaliplatin with bevacizumab & capecitabine)
Ariel M., Appendix Cancer, Stage 4, High-Grade
Symptom: Sharp pain with gas & bowel movements
Treatment: Radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy (FOLFOX & FOLFIRI), PIPAC clinical trial (pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy)