Overview
Goblet cell carcinoma (also called goblet cell adenocarcinoma, or previously goblet cell carcinoid) is a rare type of cancer that most commonly arises in the appendix. It gets its name from the goblet-shaped cells that are normally found lining the intestines and produce mucus. This cancer is unique because it has features of both a carcinoid (neuroendocrine) tumor and a traditional adenocarcinoma, making it a mixed or hybrid tumor type. It tends to behave more aggressively than typical carcinoid tumors of the appendix. Patients with goblet cell carcinoma may initially have no symptoms at all, and the tumor is sometimes discovered incidentally during surgery for what appears to be appendicitis. When symptoms do occur, they can include abdominal pain (often in the lower right side), bloating, changes in bowel habits, and sometimes a palpable mass. In more advanced cases, the cancer can spread to nearby organs such as the ovaries, peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), and other parts of the intestines. Treatment typically involves surgery, which may range from a simple appendectomy to a right hemicolectomy (removal of part of the colon) depending on the stage and grade of the tumor. In cases where the cancer has spread, chemotherapy is often recommended, usually with regimens similar to those used for colorectal cancer. Because this cancer is rare, treatment decisions are often made by multidisciplinary teams at specialized cancer centers. Outcomes vary widely depending on the stage at diagnosis, with early-stage disease having a much better prognosis than advanced disease.
Key symptoms:
Abdominal pain, especially in the lower right sideSymptoms mimicking appendicitisBloating or abdominal swellingChanges in bowel habitsNausea or vomitingUnexplained weight lossA lump or mass felt in the abdomenPelvic pain or pressureOvarian masses in women (from cancer spread)Loss of appetiteFatigueBowel obstruction symptoms
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
6 eventsWondercel Biotech (ShenZhen) — EARLY_PHASE1
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besancon
University of Wisconsin, Madison — PHASE1
University of Maryland, Baltimore — NA
University of Maryland, Baltimore — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Goblet cell carcinoma.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Goblet cell carcinoma at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Goblet cell carcinoma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Goblet cell carcinoma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Goblet cell carcinoma
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Hypofractionated Accelerated Pelvic Nodal Radiotherapy (GCC 2048)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Goblet cell carcinoma
New recruiting trial: LITT Followed by Hypofractionated RT for Newly Diagnosed Gliomas (GCC 20138)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Goblet cell carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy of Operable Metastatic Melanoma in Real Life (GCC)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Goblet cell carcinoma
New recruiting trial: GammaPod Dose Escalation Radiation for Early Stage Breast Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Goblet cell carcinoma
New recruiting trial: Autologous CAR-T Cells (WD-01) for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Goblet cell carcinoma
New trial: Cancer Preventive Vaccine Nous-209 for Lynch Syndrome Patients
Phase PHASE1 trial recruiting. Adenoviral Tumor-specific Neoantigen Priming Vaccine GAd-209-FSP
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the exact stage and grade of my goblet cell carcinoma, and what does that mean for my outlook?,Do I need additional surgery beyond the appendectomy, such as a right hemicolectomy?,Should I be referred to a specialized center that offers cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC?,Is chemotherapy recommended in my case, and what regimen would you suggest?,For women: Should I consider removal of my ovaries to prevent spread to that area?,How often will I need follow-up scans and blood tests, and for how long?,Are there any clinical trials available for goblet cell carcinoma that I might be eligible for?
Common questions about Goblet cell carcinoma
What is Goblet cell carcinoma?
Goblet cell carcinoma (also called goblet cell adenocarcinoma, or previously goblet cell carcinoid) is a rare type of cancer that most commonly arises in the appendix. It gets its name from the goblet-shaped cells that are normally found lining the intestines and produce mucus. This cancer is unique because it has features of both a carcinoid (neuroendocrine) tumor and a traditional adenocarcinoma, making it a mixed or hybrid tumor type. It tends to behave more aggressively than typical carcinoid tumors of the appendix. Patients with goblet cell carcinoma may initially have no symptoms at all
How is Goblet cell carcinoma inherited?
Goblet cell carcinoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Goblet cell carcinoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Goblet cell carcinoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Goblet cell carcinoma?
3 specialists and care centers treating Goblet cell carcinoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.