Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma

Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix
Cellules en Bagues a Chatons

Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma:
Symptoms, Diagnosis
and Treatment

Mark has been disease free from Signet Ring cell for two years!

The diagnosis of Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix can be the most challenging listed under the broad description of Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma and/or Pseudomyxoma Peritonei.

Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is a rare diagnosis and may be considered to be more aggressive and therefore more challenging to treat. Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma can develop in the appendix, colon or stomach.

Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is considered to be the rarest and most aggressive of the appendiceal cancers and progresses more rapidly compared to other appendiceal cancers.

Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma commonly presents with the same symptoms as all other appendiceal cancers.

Diagnosis may be suspected based on physical symptoms, CT scans, and tumor marker tests. However, the actual diagnosis is confirmed by pathologists after examination of actual tissue and/or mucin or fluid samples.

Treatment may include surgery, including HIPEC and/or systemic chemo.

If you have been diagnosed with Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma originating with Appendix Cancer, consult with your specialist regarding the most thorough treatment plan for your particular diagnosis.

Meet Other Signet Ring Cell Survivors!

Here's our Pal, Paul, enjoying his spring vacation with his wife!

Join the "Pals" and connect with other Signet Ring Cell Pals!

Diagnosis, Treatment and Medical Journals

Yvon celebrates 3 years of being cancer free!

Resources for Patients and Their Families

Glossary: Explanations of Medical Terminology

Health Insurance Solutions: Government benefits, COBRA, MediCare, Appeals

Caregiving: Resources for Families

Signet Ring Cell Pals: Communicate directly with other patients and their families

Solutions for Weight Loss During Signet Ring Cell Chemotherapy

Today’s question has been submitted by DG in Mumbai, India who seeks solutions for his father’s weight loss.

DG says: “My father has lost seventy pounds since his surgery and chemotherapy treatment began nine months ago. Originally his weight was 180 lbs. Now he weighs 110 lbs.

He is halfway through a 12 cycle chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of Signet Ring Cell cancer (appendiceal.) Based on his recent CT scans, his oncologist believes the chemotherapy treatment is helping my dad. However, due to my father’s weight loss, the chemo treatment has been suspended until my father can gain at least five pounds. Although my father is trying to maintain his caloric intake, he does not have an appetite.

Do you have suggestions for how my father can gain weight?”

GG responds: “Thank you for submitting your question. We will share your question with participants in the PMP Pals’ Network who have experienced similar situations and will ask for their suggestions. In the meantime, we offer the following suggestions:

These are the three most common reasons "Pals" lose weight during and after medical treatment (surgery and chemotherapy)

-         1. Digestive distress (eg vomiting)

-         2. Anorexia (loss of appetite, typically post surgery, and/or during chemotherapy)

-         3. Inability to absorb nutrition (due to ileostomy, gastrectomy, or other surgical removal of critical portions of the digestive system)

From what you describe, it sounds like your dad suffers from reasons #1 and #2

Reason #1 (digestive distress, vomiting) may be addressed/corrected through prescription medication to relieve nausea, as prescribed by your father’s oncologist.

Non prescription remedies for nausea include ginger tea, dry crackers, and limited, unseasoned, bland foods served in small portions.

Reason #2 (anorexia, loss of appetite) may be addressed by offering a variety of small meals and "snacks" throughout the day and noting which, if any of those foods offered, appeal to your dad.

Here are resources provided by the PMP Pals’ Network to assist patients in understanding their nutritional needs:

Review our NUTRITION page carefully for the following…

BeneCalorie: ask your father’s physician whether this may be a beneficial supplement for your dad

Lactose Intolerance :often overlooked by family caregivers, but very important for GI cancer patients, as many of us are lactose intolerant following surgery and cannot tolerate sugars, sweeteners, caffeine, chocolate, canned commercial nutritional supplements, like Boost and Ensure, milk and other dairy products) and read the

Malabsorption diet.

These articles may also be helpful:

How can I gain weight?

and

How can I gain weight...I already drink Ensure

Please keep in mind that every patient is unique; what works for one patient may not work for another. This is why it is important to incorporate a team of healthcare providers in the coordination of your father’s care. In this case, your father may benefit from the inclusion of a licensed clinical dietician and an endocrinologist, to be included in his healthcare team.

The articles posted in “PMP Pals” and on www.pmppals.org are written from the perspective of patients and their family caregivers, and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Patients should seek the counsel of their licensed professional healthcare providers. Copyright© 2012 by PMP Pals’ Network/All rights reserved.

Visitors to www.pmppals.org are encouraged to discuss publications and information contained herein with their licensed, professional healthcare providers. The information provided on www.pmppals.org is not intended as a replacement for licensed, professional medical or legal advice.

Please respect your fellow patients and caregivers by not copying or cutting and pasting any pages from this website onto yours.

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Copyright 2013 by PMP Pals' Network/All rights reserved.Updated 03.16.13

Thank you to our Sponsor

This page is sponsored in memory of Tina Pelley by her husband, Fred Murphy.