Adenocarcinoma, or adenocarcinoma, is a type of malignant tumor. Adenocarcinoma is a histological type of neoplasm, so it was identified on the basis of microscopic structure. Adenocarcinoma in the human body can develop anywhere there is a glandular epithelium. Thus, there are many possible locations for adenocarcinoma, the most common of which are the colon, stomach, lungs, uterus, prostate, and pancreas. Find out how adenocarcinoma develops, how adenocarcinoma is diagnosed, how the prognosis of adenocarcinoma is determined, and which organs may be involved in adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma(Latinadenocarcinoma ) is another name for adenocarcinoma. In order to understand the concept of adenocarcinoma, it is worth knowing the basic definitions in the field of oncology - what is cancer in general and what makes it possible to call a specific tumor adenocarcinoma?
The name "cancer" means a malignant neoplasm originating in epithelial tissue. Cancer can therefore arise in our body wherever there is an epithelium. It is also worth knowing that there are different types of epithelium in the human body - for example squamous epithelium, urothelial (urinary tract) epithelium or glandular epithelium. In a properly functioning epithelium, the processes of cell renewal and multiplication are constantly taking place. These processes are strictly controlled.
In the process of cancer formation, i.e. oncogenesis, cells escape from normal regulation - they begin to multiply uncontrollably and their structure is disturbed. If such changes occur within the epithelium, a malignant tumor of the epithelial tissue is formed - cancer. Similarly to different types of epithelium, different types of cancers can develop in the human body - for example, squamous cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma and the described adenocarcinoma, i.e. adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma can arise wherever there is glandular epithelium. The glandular epithelium is a type of epithelium whose main function is the production of various secretions. The glandular epithelium is found in many places - within all glands in our body. The type of secretion produced depends on the location - it can be mucus, bile, saliva, hormones or digestive enzymes. Glandular epitheliumit lines virtually the entire length of the digestive tract - from the esophagus, through the stomach, to the large intestine. The glandular epithelial cells are also found in the bronchi, uterine body, prostate, breast, pancreas, bile ducts, salivary glands and thyroid gland. Adenocarcinoma may develop in any of the organs listed in the glandular epithelium.
Adenocarcinoma - diagnosis
We already know the general definition of adenocarcinoma. So it's time to ask yourself: on what basis can a doctor conclude that the cancer diagnosed in a given patient is adenocarcinoma? The first suspicion can be made on the basis of its location - if most of the organ is made of glandular epithelium, then we can suspect with high probability that a malignant neoplasm located in this organ will be an adenocarcinoma.
For example, as much as 95% of malignant tumors of the stomach and 80% of malignant tumors of the uterus are adenocarcinomas. However, no organ is completely uniform in terms of microscopy - the neoplastic process may originate in cells other than the glandular epithelium. In addition, the identified change may also be a benign neoplasm, or be of a completely different nature (e.g. inflammatory).
For a reliable diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, it is therefore necessary to evaluate the tumor tissue under a microscope, i.e. a histopathological examination. The material for the study can be obtained during a biopsy, i.e. collecting a tumor tissue fragment for examination, or during surgery to remove the tumor. However, the first option is used more often - earlier histopathological examination gives a lot of valuable information, useful in treatment planning.
Adenocarcinoma - prognosis
The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma as a subtype of malignant neoplasm is of great concern to patients. Does the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma allow a person to immediately determine the prognosis? Unfortunately, no - diagnosis of "adenocarcinoma" means only the microscopic structure of the tumor and the fact that its starting point was the glandular epithelium.
The prognosis for each adenocarcinoma may be different - there are both adenocarcinomas offering a chance for a full recovery and adenocarcinomas with a much worse prognosis.
In order to obtain complete information on the prognosis, it is necessary to obtain a complete picture of the neoplastic disease - first of all, the stage and the degree of histological malignancy. In oncology, this information is called (in English) staging and grading. Staging, i.e. the stage of cancer advancement, informs us about the dimensions of the primary tumor and the surrounding arealymph nodes and the presence of distant metastases.
Based on these features, most malignant neoplasms have 4 stages of clinical advancement - from I to IV. Grading, i.e. the degree of histological malignancy, concerns the structure of neoplastic cells. Low-grade tumor cells usually receive G1, intermediate - G2, and high-grade G3.
Only with the above information, we can assess the prognosis of a patient with diagnosed adenocarcinoma. It is not difficult to guess that stage I adenocarcinoma with G1 feature is associated with a much better prognosis than stage IV adenocarcinoma with G3 histological malignancy. '
It should also be remembered that the prognosis of each patient is influenced by additional factors, such as the location of the neoplasm, the presence of comorbidities or the possibility of radical oncological therapy.
Adenocarcinoma - the most common locations
There are many possible locations for adenocarcinoma. The common feature of all adenocarcinomas is the site of the tumor development, i.e. the glandular epithelium. However, adenocarcinomas of different organs may have completely different clinical features - for example, endometrial adenocarcinoma causes symptoms in the form of abnormal bleeding relatively early, while gastric adenocarcinoma remains asymptomatic for a long time.
Diverse localization of adenocarcinomas also influences different methods of their treatment. Characteristic features of the most common adenocarcinomas are presented below.
-
colorectal adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of colon cancer. Symptoms of colorectal adenocarcinoma may include abdominal pain, anemia, blood in the stool and a change in bowel habits.
Colorectal adenocarcinoma in most cases develops on the basis of a benign tumor - adenoma. According to current medical knowledge, the transformation of a benign adenoma into a malignant tumor takes min. 10 years. Thanks to this, there are possibilities of effective prevention of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
The screening test for this cancer is colonoscopy, recommended for all patients over 50 years of age. If adenomas are visualized during colonoscopy, their removal will significantly reduce the risk of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
-
gastric adenocarcinoma
Gastric adenocarcinoma develops within the gastric glands. Adenocarcinoma constitutes as much as 95% of all malignant tumors of the stomach. Incidence ofGastric adenocarcinoma in Poland is systematically decreasing, nevertheless, most cases are diagnosed to a high degree.
The test that shows the greatest effectiveness in detecting gastric cancer is gastroscopy combined with taking specimens for histopathological examination. The best prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma concerns those patients who can be completely resected during surgery.
-
lung adenocarcinoma
There are many histological types of lung cancer that differ in prognosis and response to different treatments. Lung adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 30% of all lung cancer cases.
The characteristic features of this neoplasm are its location in the peripheral (outer) parts of the lungs, the possibility of its occurrence in non-smoking patients, and its predominance among women.
The method of lung adenocarcinoma treatment depends primarily on the stage of the tumor. Surgical treatment plays a major role in the early stages of the disease. In later stages, as well as in the form of complementary therapy, chemotherapy and the so-called targeted therapies.
-
endometrial adenocarcinoma
Endometrial adenocarcinoma develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Endometrial adenocarcinoma is an example of a cancer that in most cases gives early clinical symptoms - abnormal vaginal bleeding. Thanks to this, the diagnosis is made quickly, and in many cases early surgery allows for complete recovery.
The endometrial adenocarcinoma belongs to the hormone-dependent neoplasms. This means that its development is associated with the excessive, inappropriate activity of the female sex hormones - estrogens.
Obesity is an important risk factor that leads to hormonal disorders and increases the risk of this cancer.
-
prostate adenocarcinoma
Prostate cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm in men. In most cases, prostate adenocarcinoma is characterized by a relatively slow growth. As a result, the disease is often detected in a limited stage, which allows for full recovery.
Prostate adenocarcinoma may be asymptomatic or cause urination disorders (e.g. pollakiuria). The basic method of treating prostate cancer is surgery to remove the prostate with seminal vesicles (prostatectomy).
An alternative to surgery may be radiation therapy, whilethe most frequently used method of adjuvant treatment is hormone therapy. The development of prostate adenocarcinoma is related to the influence of male sex hormones - androgens.
-
pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of malignant neoplasm of the pancreas - it accounts for about 90% of all cases. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is an example of an adenocarcinoma with a serious prognosis and unsatisfactory treatment results. In most cases, the disease is detected only in the advanced stage.
The main problems with pancreatic adenocarcinoma are the long asymptomatic period, the lack of screening tests giving a chance of early cancer detection and significant operational difficulties (the pancreas is one of the organs most difficult to access in surgery).