Welcome to Appendix Cancer Canada

Together, we find strength, share hope, and champion a future free from appendix cancer.

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About Us

Dedicated to Hope, Support, and a Future Free from Appendix Cancer.

At Appendix Cancer Canada, one woman’s experience turned into a mission to support others.

Lindsey Wolfram was a successful senior leader in the investment world, living an active life filled with travel, sports, and triathlons. In 2020, she was diagnosed with stage 4 low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), a rare cancer that starts in the appendix and often spreads to the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum). This slow-growing disease is becoming more common — especially in younger people — but remains largely unknown.

For Lindsey, stage 4 wasn’t the finish line. It became a turning point.

Lindsey’s diagnosis came during the pandemic. She searched for answers across Canada and the U.S., undergoing multiple surgeries and exploring every option. Today, she lives with the disease and manages it through diet, lifestyle, and research-based approaches. Her experience sparked a passion for advocacy — from volunteering with international nonprofits to contributing as a patient partner in research.

In 2025, Lindsey launched Appendix Cancer Canada — a national nonprofit with one goal: to change the experience of Canadians facing this rare disease.

Appendix Cancer Canada is more than a nonprofit — it’s a growing community of patients, caregivers, doctors, and advocates working together to bring attention, action, and hope to those impacted by appendix cancer.

What We Do

Support patients and families
Through peer mentorship, navigation, support groups, and online resources, we make sure no one faces this cancer alone.
Raise awareness and educate
We run workshops, webinars, and national campaigns — including Appendix Cancer Awareness Month — to help Canadians.
Promote early detection and access to care
We work to break down barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
Support research (coming soon)
We aim to fund Canadian research once we gain charitable status and make research updates accessible to everyone.
Grow our impact
We’re powered by volunteers, donors, and strong partnerships — and we’re just getting started.

Appendix Cancer Canada is building programs that connect people, improve awareness, and will fund life-changing research. As we grow, we’ll share real stories and results that show how we're making a difference.

Together, we’re changing the future of those impacted by appendix cancer in Canada.

Your Gift. Our Fight. A Future of Hope.

Every contribution to Appendix Cancer Canada directly fuels the battle against this rare disease. Your generosity empowers us to fund critical research, provide essential education for patients and caregivers, and offer compassionate support programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected. Join us in transforming diagnosis into hope and challenges into breakthroughs.

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Learn

Understand Appendix Cancer, Treatments, and Beyond.

About Appendix Cancer

Learn about appendix cancer types, symptoms, treatments including CRS/HIPEC, and how it differs from colon cancer.

New Patient Guide

A comprehensive guide for those newly diagnosed with appendix cancer. Learn about your diagnosis, build your care team, and connect with support.

Find a Specialist

Cancer centres in Canada that specialize in treating appendix cancer.

Getting a Second Opinion

Why a second opinion matters for appendix cancer, when to seek one, and how to navigate the process in Canada and internationally.

Survivorship

Life after appendix cancer treatment. Learn about follow-up care, monitoring for recurrence, and thriving as a survivor.

Ask Our AI

Our intelligent assistant is grounded in validated sources to give you a safe and reliable way to find answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers You Need, Support You Deserve. Navigating Your Questions About Appendix Cancer.

Is Appendix Cancer the same as Colon Cancer?

No, it behaves differently from colon cancer, both biologically and genetically, often requiring specialized treatment.

While some treatments borrow from colon cancer protocols, clinical and molecular evidence show that appendix cancer is genetically and biologically distinct from colorectal cancers. This means it behaves differently and responds differently to treatment.

Learn More:

Why This Difference Matters for Treatment

What are the types of appendix cancer?

Appendix cancer includes several types, each affecting growth, spread, and treatment approach:

Low-Grade Mucinous Neoplasm (LAMN)
High-Grade Mucinous Adenocarcinoma (HAMN)
Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma
Neuroendocrine Tumor (Carcinoid)
Colonic-type Non-Mucinous Adenocarcinoma
Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma

Learn More:

Types of Appendix Cancer

What is pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)?

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP):

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, or PMP, is a rare condition that occurs when certain appendix tumors (typically mucinous tumors) produce a thick, jelly-like fluid called mucin, which accumulates in the abdominal cavity.
PMP is not a separate type of cancer; it is a complication of mucin-producing appendix tumors.

How it develops:

Tumor cells in the appendix secrete mucin.
If the tumor ruptures or grows through the appendix wall, mucin and tumor cells can spread throughout the peritoneal cavity, coating the abdominal organs.
Unlike many cancers, PMP usually spreads along the surface of the abdominal cavity, rather than through the bloodstream or lymph nodes.

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Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is CRS/HIPEC?

CRS + HIPEC is a specialized treatment for appendix cancer or pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) that has spread in the abdomen

How it works:

Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS): is a long, complex operation where the surgeon carefully removes all visible cancer from the lining of the abdomen and, if needed, affected organs.
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC):

Hyperthermic = heated
Intraperitoneal = inside the peritoneal cavity (the space in your abdomen that holds your stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs)
Chemotherapy = cancer-fighting drugs

HIPEC circulates heated chemotherapy inside the abdomen to kill remaining cancer cells after CRS.

Why it's used:

Targets tumors within the abdomen.
Together, CRS and HIPEC aim to remove as much cancer as possible and lower the chance of it coming back in the abdomen.

Learn More:

CRS/HIPEC Surgery and Recovery

Should I get a second opinion?

Because appendix cancer is rare, a second opinion from specialized experts improves accuracy, access to advanced treatments, and your confidence.

A second opinion helps ensure your diagnosis, test results, and treatment plan have been interpreted correctly and thoroughly.

Specialists—especially at high-volume centers—may offer surgical techniques like cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), immunotherapy or clinical trials not considered originally.

Learn More:

Why a Second Opinion Matters — Especially for Appendix Cancer