The cause of appendix cancer is unknown. Some people may be at higher risk due to lifestyle, family history, and other factors including:
Age: Appendix cancer is most common in people age 40 and older
Gender: Women more frequently get appendix cancer than men, though not by a large amount
Smoking: Smokers are more likely to get appendix cancer than non-smokers
Family history: People with a family history of appendix cancer or other conditions, like multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), are more at risk
Medical history: Certain conditions involving the stomach’s ability to make acid may put you at a higher risk. These can include atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.