Carcinoma is a medical term used to describe a malignant or cancerous tumor. One of the four major types of tumor, carcinoma is the most commonly seen variety in human beings, able to grow nearly anywhere in the body. Some varieties of this tumor can be treated and even removed with the application of radiation, chemotherapy, drug therapy, and surgery. Unfortunately, not all stages and kinds of carcinoma are treatable and it can be fatal in some cases.
This type of malignant tumor can arise almost anywhere in the body because it invades epithelial cells. These cells line most of the surfaces in the body, resting on connective tissue and providing the building blocks for many glands. Epithelial cells are widespread throughout the body, found in the reproductive, urinary, digestive, lymphatic, nervous, and respiratory systems, as well as throughout the skin system, parts of the eyes and nose, and in blood vessels. If these cells become damaged or mutated in some fashion, a carcinoma can form.
There are several methods of defining types of carcinoma; since there are so many variations the tumor can take, understanding the differences can be somewhat confusing and contradictory. Basal cell carcinomas are responsible for many cases of skin cancer, resulting from cellular damage due to overexposure to the sun. Squamous cell carcinomas also cause skin cancer, but tend to be more invasive and occur more frequently than basal cell varieties. Adenocarcinoma grows in the glands, and may affect many different organs in the body, including the lungs, colon, and reproductive organs. Other types, such as ductal varieties, may originate in the milk production system of females, resulting in breast cancer.
Some carcinomas are classified by their progression and level of invasiveness. Medical professionals may describe the severity of the tumor by its stage, with stage one being the earliest form and stage four generally being the most progressed. Size, shape, location and the appearance of spreading to other organs help define the stage. Almost all types of this tumor have potential to metastasize, or spread, causing other tumors throughout the body. Carcinomas that are caught early are usually aggressively treated to prevent metastasis from occurring, but treatment is still possible even after the condition has spread throughout the body.
Although cancer remains a frightening word, advanced medical treatment options do provide some hope for people afflicted with a carcinoma or other sign of cancer. Surgery, radiation, and drug therapy can all help increase chances of recovery and survival, though these chances are often markedly increased if the tumor is caught early. Although it is not always possible to prevent cancer from occurring, understanding family medical history and having regular medical check-ups and screenings can help catch a carcinoma right away.
A carcinoma tumor is a malignant tumor which classically arises in the epithelial cells, the cells which line the organs and interior cavities of the body, in addition to providing the outer layer of the skin. The bulk of human cancers are carcinomas, and there are a wide variety of carcinoma tumors, classified by structure and location. Prognosis for someone with a carcinoma tumor varies, depending on the location and grade of the tumor. As a general rule, the earlier the tumor is caught, the better for the patient.
Tumors are areas of uncontrolled cell growth which are caused by a genetic defect in a cell which leads the cell to continue replicating itself without any checks in place. Normally, the body tightly controls the number of cell replications, ensuring that cells make enough copies of themselves to replace dying and damaged cells, without causing uncontrolled growth. In the case of a tumor, something goes awry, and cells start to form a lump of tissue which may be benign or malignant.
Carcinomas arise when a genetic defect occurs in the epithelial cells. These tumors are classified as malignant because they have the ability to metastasize through surrounding tissue, spreading to other parts of the body, and they also grow very rapidly and aggressively. An untreated carcinoma can lead to pain, unpleasant symptoms, and eventual death as the body becomes riddled with cancerous tissue.
If a carcinoma is caught early, it may be classified as a "carcinoma in situ," meaning that the tumor is pre-malignant. The carcinoma will be removed and the site will be monitored to check for recurrences. Typically, the margins of the area around the carcinoma tumor are removed as well, to ensure that no rogue cells are still present. A pathologist usually examines the tumor and the margins after removal to confirm that everything has been successfully taken out.
When a carcinoma tumor is identified, it is usually biopsied to determine whether it is an adenosarcoma, a squamous cell carcinoma, or an undifferentiated carcinoma. The biopsy will also be used to grade the tumor by size and area of spread, to determine how serious the condition is. Once the results of the biopsy have been received, a doctor can work with the patient to develop a treatment plan, with the goal being removal or shrinkage of the carcinoma tumor, and a halt to its spread through the body.
An adenocarcinoma is a carcinoma that originates in glandular tissue, or tissue responsible for the production a secretion of a substance. The breast ducts and lobules are examples of glandular tissues where adenocarcinomas may sometimes develop.
Carcinoma-in-situ describes an early stage of cancer. It is marked by the confinement of the cancer to the thin layer of cells in which it began. Carcinoma-in-situ indicates that cancer cells have not yet metastasized, or spread to other organs in the body.
Invasive or infiltrating carcinomas describe cancer cells that have spread beyond their places of origin, and have begun to infiltrate other organs. Most types of breast cancer are invasive carcinomas.
According to the American Cancer Society, invasive ductal carcinoma, or IDC, is the most common form of breast cancer. IDC begins in the ducts or milk passages of the breast, and then breaks through the ductal wall and spreads into the breast's fatty tissue. Once in the fatty tissue, the cancer has the potential to metastasize and travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
According to the American Cancer Society, basal cell carcinoma accounts for 80 percent of skin cancer cases. This carcinoma usually originates in sun-exposed areas, like the back of the neck or shoulders. Basal cell carcinoma is generally slow growing, and rarely metastasizes. However, without the proper treatment it can spread to other areas, or invade bones and tissues below the skin. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 50 percent of those diagnosed with one basal cell carcinoma will develop a new one within five years.
The other 20 percent of skin cancers -- according to the American Cancer Society -- are Squamous cell carcinomas. They often appear on the neck, face, ears, lips and the back of the hands, however they can also form in skin ulcers or scars anywhere on the body. Unlike basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas are generally aggressive and are more likely than basal cell carcinomas to metastasize and spread to distant locations in the body.