THE ESSENTIAL
- A British woman discovered she had a rare appendix cancer during surgery for an ovarian cyst.
- In an attempt to save her, doctors removed 8 organs.
- The results are encouraging but it will have to be followed for 20 years.
Briton Faye Louise discovered she was suffering from a very rare cancer of the appendix, called pseudomyxoma peritonei, “by chance” in 2023 while she was undergoing surgery for an ovarian cyst.
Faced with a very bleak diagnosis, she underwent what she dubbed “the mother of all surgeries” : the removal of eight organs.
Pseudomyxoma peritonei: a rare cancer that causes a buildup of mucus in the abdomen
Faye Louise started having pain in her abdomen in the spring of 2023. Although at first she thought it was linked to menstrual cycle disorders, an ultrasound revealed that she had an ovarian cyst. . It was during the operation to correct this problem that doctors spotted something even more serious.
They discovered she had a malignant tumor in her appendix. Called pseudomyxoma peritonei or gelatinous disease of the peritoneum, this rare cancer causes a buildup of mucus in the abdomen.
The tumor ruptured and cancer cells spread throughout his body. To try to save her, surgeons decided to remove eight organs: the spleen, gallbladder, appendix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, omentum and part of her liver. His navel, as well as pieces of his diaphragm and pelvis were also removed. During the operation, chemotherapy was administered directly to her abdomen.
His recovery was long. She also admits to having experienced difficult times. However, this extensive treatment was not in vain. She recovered and was allowed to return to her job as a flight operations officer at London Gatwick Airport. Which she didn’t think was possible this time last year.
“The work is very physical, but I love aviation and I’m happy to be back at work”she told BBC Radio Sussex.
Appendiceal cancer: it will need to be followed for 20 years
Last November, the first control examination brought good news. “Hearing that there was no evidence of illness was the best Christmas present I could have received”Faye revealed on British radio.
Although the results are encouraging, caution remains in order. She will have to undergo scans every year in November for 20 years.
“Waiting for results will unfortunately be a deciding factor for me every Christmas. But we have to keep moving forward and never give up.”added the young woman. “Some days I have been in the depths of despair, but most of the time I have more positive days.”
Furthermore, in addition to her work, she recounts her medical journey in the media to raise awareness among the general public about pseudomyxoma peritonei.
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