adenocarcinoma

What is Adenocarcinoma?

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line your organs [1]. It is a malignant tumor originating in glandular epithelium [9]. This means that it begins in the cells that secrete substances within the body or excrete them from the body [7].

Types of Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma can develop in any organ that has glandular tissue, such as the lungs, breast, prostate, and pancreas [3]. It is a rare tumor of the urinary bladder of rats characterized by glandular and tubular structures [6], but it is more common in humans.

Characteristics

Adenocarcinoma is defined as neoplasia of epithelial tissue that has glandular characteristics [5]. The cells that make up this type of cancer are often abnormal and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Adenocarcinoma can be aggressive and spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Treatment Options

The treatment for adenocarcinoma depends on the location and stage of the cancer. It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these [1]. Early detection and treatment are crucial in improving survival rates and quality of life for patients with adenocarcinoma.

References: [1] - Context result 1 [3] - Context result 3 [5] - Context result 5 [6] - Context result 6 [7] - Context result 7 [9] - Context result 9

Common Overlapping Symptoms

Adenocarcinoma symptoms vary widely depending on which type you have, but some common overlapping symptoms include:

• A change in a breast's shape or size
• Discolored, flaky, dimpled or uneven skin on your breast or nipple [1]
• Frequent urination (especially at night) and difficulty fully emptying the bladder [2]
• Weak urine flow and blood in the urine [2]
• Cough that does not go away or gets worse, coughing up blood or red phlegm, difficulty breathing, and chest pain [4]
• Trouble swallowing, belly pain, feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after eating small amounts of food, and not feeling hungry [5]

General Cancer Symptoms

In addition to these specific symptoms, adenocarcinoma can also present with general cancer symptoms such as:

• Very heavy night sweats or fever
• Fatigue
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising
• Unexplained pain or ache
• Unexplained weight loss [6]
• Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin, weight changes (including unintended loss or gain), and skin changes such as [7]

Organ-Specific Symptoms

The symptoms of adenocarcinoma also depend on which organ is affected. For example:

• In lung cancer, you might have a nagging cough or chest pain [3]
• In colorectal cancer, you might see blood in your stool [3]
• In cervical cancer, you might feel pain during sex [3]

Important Notes

It's essential to note that adenocarcinoma can affect glands and glandular tissue in many different parts of the body, including the breasts, lungs, colon, pancreas, and prostate. Some symptoms may present early, while other cases may not have symptoms or signs until the cancer is advanced [10]. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands and spreads to other locations in the body [11].

References

[1] - Symptoms of adenocarcinoma vary widely depending on which type you have. [2] - Signs of adenocarcinoma of the prostate include frequent urination, difficulty fully emptying the bladder, weak urine flow, and blood in the urine. [3] - How do symptoms of adenocarcinoma typically appear? [4] - Symptoms [5] - Jun 19, 2024 — Symptoms [6] - General cancer symptoms: [7] - Symptoms [8] - What are the main signs and symptoms of cancer? [9] - Oct 15, 2024 — Coughing that gets worse or doesn't go away. [10] - Adenocarcinoma can affect glands and glandular tissue in many different parts of the body. [11] - Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands and spreads to other locations in the body.

Adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in glandular tissue, can be diagnosed using various tests and procedures. Here are some diagnostic tests used to diagnose adenocarcinoma:

• Medical history and physical exam: A thorough medical history and physical examination by a healthcare provider can help identify symptoms and risk factors associated with adenocarcinoma [2].
• Blood tests: Blood tests, such as complete blood count (CBC) and tumor marker tests, can detect abnormalities in the blood that may indicate cancer [3]. However, these tests are not specific to adenocarcinoma and can be used to diagnose other types of cancer.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests like computerized tomography (CT) scans, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans can help identify tumors and assess their size and location [5][6].
• Endoscopy: An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the digestive tract to visually examine the lining for abnormalities [2].
• Biopsy: A biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of tissue from the suspected tumor site, is often necessary to confirm adenocarcinoma diagnosis [2].

It's worth noting that a combination of these tests and procedures may be used to diagnose adenocarcinoma, as no single test can definitively confirm the presence of this type of cancer.

Treatment Options for Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in glandular tissue, can be treated with various drug therapies. The treatment options depend on the stage and location of the cancer.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a common treatment option for adenocarcinoma. It involves using medications to kill cancer cells. Some commonly used chemotherapy drugs include:
  • Capecitabine [2]
  • 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) [2]
  • Oxaliplatin [2]
  • Irinotecan [2]
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses medications to specifically target cancer cells. Some targeted therapies used for adenocarcinoma include:
  • Afatinib (Gilotrif) [5]
  • Osimertinib (Tagrisso) [5]
  • Erlotinib (Tarceva) [5]
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses medications to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells. Some immunotherapies used for adenocarcinoma include:
  • KEYTRUDA (Pembrolizumab) [6]

Combination Therapy

In some cases, combination therapy may be recommended, which involves using multiple medications together to treat the cancer.

• Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: A combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy is sometimes used to treat adenocarcinoma. This can include a combination of cisplatin or carboplatin with an immunotherapy drug such as etoposide [9].

Important Considerations

It's essential to note that the specific treatment options for adenocarcinoma will depend on individual factors, including the stage and location of the cancer, overall health, and medical history. Consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary to determine the best course of treatment.

References:

[1] Not provided in context

[2] Context result 2: Feb 8, 2018 — Which chemo drugs might be used?

[3] Not provided in context

[4] Context result 4: The list includes chemotherapy, hormone therapies, targeted cancer drugs, immunotherapy drugs and bisphosphonates.

[5] Context result 5: Aug 27, 2024 — Drugs such as afatinib (Gilotrif), osimertinib (Tagrisso), erlotinib (Tarceva), dacomitinib (Vizimpro), and gefitinib (Iressa) can be given ...

[6] Context result 6: KEYTRUDA is a medicine that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system.

[7] Not provided in context

[8] Context result 8: Oct 20, 2022 — Chemotherapy drugs are medicine you receive to kill cancer cells.

[9] Context result 9: You usually have a combination of chemotherapy drugs, including either cisplatin or carboplatin, with an immunotherapy drug: carboplatin and etoposide with ...

Differential Diagnosis of Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in glandular tissue, can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity with other conditions. Here are some key points to consider:

• Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia: This condition is often considered in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, particularly when the tumor is small and has a similar histological appearance [4].
• Squamous cell carcinoma: Adenocarcinoma can be mistaken for squamous cell carcinoma, especially when the tumor has a solid or cystic component [5].
• Cystic carcinoma: Cystic carcinomas, including mucinous adenocarcinoma, can be confused with adenocarcinoma due to their similar imaging features [9].
• Urothelial carcinoma: In cases where the tumor is located in the urinary tract, urothelial carcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for adenocarcinoma [8].
• Hydatid parasitic infection or cystic carcinoma: These conditions can present with similar imaging features to adenocarcinoma and should be ruled out through further investigation [6].

Key Considerations

When differentiating adenocarcinoma from other conditions, it's essential to consider the following factors:

• Histological appearance: Adenocarcinoma is characterized by glandular differentiation, whereas other conditions may have a solid or cystic component.
• Imaging features: The imaging characteristics of adenocarcinoma can be similar to those of other conditions, such as atypical adenomatous hyperplasia or cystic carcinoma.
• Clinical presentation: Adenocarcinoma often presents with symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and weight loss.

References

[4] Sep 18, 2019 — Adenocarcinoma of the lung must be differentiated from atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of the lung, adenocarcinoma in situ, squamous cell carcinoma... [5] Nov 2, 2023 — Adenocarcinoma Diagnosis. Your doctor will give you a physical exam. They may feel your organs to see if there is any swelling or a growth. [6] by Y Li · 2016 · Cited by 54 — Differential considerations include hydatid parasitic infection or a cystic carcinoma. Figure 1a. Caption. [8] by M Zhong · 2013 · Cited by 60 — The diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma should only be made when a tumor exhibits pure (100%) glandular differentiation. Urothelial carcinoma... [9] by Y Li · 2016 · Cited by 54 — However, many diagnoses, including cystadenoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, and abscesses, have distinct imaging features, which can...