Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer (malignant tumour) that develops from specialized glandular cells. Glandular cells typically produce substances such as mucus or hormones, and they’re normally found in many internal organs, including the lungs, breast, stomach, pancreas, colon, ovaries, and uterus (endometrium). Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer affecting internal organs.

Adenocarcinoma can sometimes metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, brain, lymph nodes, bones, or bone marrow. This condition is known as metastatic adenocarcinoma. When adenocarcinoma spreads, it’s often harder to treat and generally has a lower survival rate compared to cancer that remains localized (confined to one area).

What are the symptoms of adenocarcinoma?

Symptoms of adenocarcinoma vary widely depending on the organ where the tumour develops, its size, and how far the cancer has spread. Examples of common symptoms include:

• Lung adenocarcinoma: Shortness of breath, persistent cough, or chest pain.

• Stomach adenocarcinoma: Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, weight loss, or early satiety (feeling full quickly).

• Colon adenocarcinoma: Changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, or abdominal pain.

• Breast adenocarcinoma: Lump in the breast, changes in breast size or shape, or skin changes.

Unfortunately, many people with adenocarcinoma may not experience noticeable symptoms until the cancer grows large or spreads to other parts of the body.

What causes adenocarcinoma?

Adenocarcinoma can result from several different factors, depending on the affected organ. Common causes or risk factors include:

• Smoking: Strongly linked to adenocarcinoma of the lung.

• Hormonal and genetic factors: Important for breast, ovarian, prostate, and endometrial cancers.

• Exposure to toxins: Bladder cancer can result from exposure to certain chemicals or toxins.

• Viruses: Certain viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), can lead to cervical adenocarcinoma.

• Diet and lifestyle factors: Obesity, diet, and physical inactivity may influence the risk for certain adenocarcinomas, especially colorectal and stomach cancers.

How is adenocarcinoma graded?

Tumour grading is a way pathologists describe how much adenocarcinoma cells resemble normal glandular cells. Grading helps doctors predict how aggressively the cancer is likely to behave and guides treatment decisions. Grades typically include:

• Well differentiated (low grade): Tumour cells closely resemble healthy glandular cells. These tumours usually grow slowly and are less aggressive.

• Moderately differentiated (intermediate grade): Tumour cells have some features of normal cells but also show more abnormalities. These tumours generally have intermediate growth and aggressiveness.

• Poorly differentiated (high grade): Tumour cells look very abnormal and lose many features of normal glandular cells. These tumours tend to grow rapidly, behave aggressively, and have a higher risk of spreading.

• Undifferentiated (high grade): Tumour cells bear no resemblance to normal glandular cells. These tumours typically grow very quickly and are highly aggressive.

The criteria used for grading adenocarcinoma can vary depending on the organ involved. For example, grading criteria for breast adenocarcinoma differ from those used in colon or lung adenocarcinoma. Your pathology report will indicate the grade specific to your tumour type.

Prognosis (expected outcome)

The prognosis for adenocarcinoma depends significantly on several factors, including:

• Type and location of the tumour: Some adenocarcinomas have more effective treatment options than others.

• Stage of the cancer: Early-stage adenocarcinoma (localized) typically has a better prognosis than advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma.

• Response to treatment: How effectively the cancer responds to treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapies.

Examples of prognosis vary greatly by cancer type:

• Breast adenocarcinoma: Generally has a good prognosis, with a five-year survival rate around 90%.

• Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Often has a poorer prognosis, with a five-year survival rate around 10%, mainly due to late-stage diagnosis.

Early detection and prompt treatment significantly improve the chances of successful outcomes in most types of adenocarcinoma.

Questions to ask your doctor

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, you may wish to ask your doctor:

• Where is my adenocarcinoma located, and what stage is it?

• What treatments are available for my type of adenocarcinoma?

• What factors affect my prognosis, and what outcomes can I expect?

• Are there lifestyle changes I can make to improve my health and treatment outcomes?

Understanding adenocarcinoma helps you actively participate in your care, make informed treatment decisions, and manage your health effectively.