We all get a little scared when we hear the word "cancer," right? It's very normal. But there are many types of cancer, and if we are properly informed about each of them, we don't need to keep that fear in our minds unnecessarily. Today we are going to talk about one of the most common types of cancer. That is Adenocarcinoma. You may have heard this name before. Let's take a simple look at what it is.
What is Adenocarcinoma?
Simply put, adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands in our body. Imagine, there is a layer of glandular cells lining the inside of various organs in our body. These glands secrete things like mucus (fluid like mucus) and digestive juices. If for some reason these glandular cells start to grow abnormally and out of control, tumors can form there. That is what we call adenocarcinoma, the cancer that develops in this way.
In fact, this is the most common type of cancer that occurs in organs. There are several organs that this cancer can primarily affect:
- Breast
- Colon / rectum
- Esophagus
- Lungs
- Pancreas
- Prostate
- Stomach
Can this cancer spread to other parts of the body?
Yes, unfortunately it can happen. Although adenocarcinoma cancer starts in the glands, it can spread to other parts of the body over time. For example, it can spread to the brain, liver, lymph nodes, bones, and even bone marrow.
Doctors describe this spread in two main ways:
1. Invasive adenocarcinoma: This is when cancer cells have spread from where they started to surrounding tissue and nearby lymph nodes, much like the roots of a plant spreading out into the ground.
2. Metastatic adenocarcinoma: This is when cancer cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood vessels or lymphatic system, and form new tumors in distant parts of the body. It's like a seed floating in the wind, growing into a new plant.
What are the symptoms of adenocarcinoma cancer?
The symptoms of this vary greatly depending on where the cancer is located, but there are some common symptoms.
- Pain in the area where the cancer is located.
- Presence of blood in bodily fluids (e.g. urine, stool, saliva).
- Sudden change in appetite or body weight.
- Bloating.
Now let's see what the specific symptoms of this cancer are related to each organ. This information will be easier for you to understand with a table.
| The location of the cancer | Common symptoms |
|---|---|
| Lungs | The first symptoms are a persistent cough. The cough may bring up mucus and a small amount of blood. In addition, there may be difficulty breathing, chest pain, wheezing, and hoarseness. |
| Breast | It is often detected by a mammogram before symptoms appear. However, you should be aware of things like a change in the shape or size of a breast, discoloration of the skin of the breast or nipple, skin changes (like an orange peel), or bloody discharge from the nipple. |
| Colon/rectum | The tumor may not show any symptoms until it is large. Even if there is bleeding in the stool, it may be so small that it is not visible to the naked eye. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation may also occur. |
| Pancreas | Most people develop symptoms late in the disease. The first symptoms are abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms may include back pain, chest pain, nausea and vomiting, and watery stools. |
| Prostate | There are often no symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, it may cause erectile dysfunction or the need to urinate more frequently than normal. |
| Esophagus | Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, indigestion, cough, hoarseness, and chest tightness or burning. |
| Stomach | Symptoms such as feeling full, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and indigestion may occur even after eating a small amount. |
What causes adenocarcinoma?
This cancer develops when cells in our glands start to divide uncontrollably. Experts can't always say exactly why this happens to some people. However, they have identified several risk factors that may contribute to this.
- Smoking: Tobacco use is the leading cause of many cancers, including adenocarcinoma.
- Family history: If your mother, father, brother, sister, or grandparent has had this cancer, you are at higher risk of developing it too.
- Alcohol consumption: Regular alcohol consumption, especially if there is a family history of cancer, increases the risk.
- Exposure to toxins: Exposure to harmful toxic chemicals at home or at work can also be a cause.
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than 25: This means that being overweight/obesity is a risk factor for some types of cancer.
- Previous radiation therapy: If you have had radiation therapy in the past for another reason, your risk of developing adenocarcinoma may be slightly increased.
How is this cancer diagnosed?
If you have symptoms, your doctor will first do a physical examination. Then, after asking about your symptoms, they will recommend some necessary tests.
- Blood tests: Elevated levels of certain enzymes in the blood and decreased red blood cell counts can provide clues about cancer.
- CT scan: This can produce detailed three-dimensional (3D) images of the tissues inside the body. This can help to see if there is anything unusual.
- MRI scan: This uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of organs and tissues.
- Biopsy: This is the most important and definitive test. A small piece of tissue is taken from the affected organ and examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine if cancer cells are present. This test can tell exactly whether the cancer is in one place, has spread, and how far it has grown.
The most important thing is that if you have the symptoms mentioned above, don't be afraid that it is definitely cancer. These symptoms can also occur in many other medical conditions. Therefore, the best thing to do is to see a doctor and seek advice.
How are the stage and grade of cancer determined?
Once cancer is diagnosed, doctors determine its grade and stage. This is very important for planning treatment.
Cancer Grading
What we're looking at here is how abnormal the cancer cells are when viewed under a microscope.
- Well-differentiated (Low-grade): Cancer cells are similar to healthy cells. They usually grow and spread well.
- Moderately differentiated (Intermediate-grade): These cells are moderately abnormal and grow more rapidly than the above types.
- Poorly differentiated (High-grade): Cancer cells are very different and abnormal from healthy cells. They can grow and spread very quickly.
Staging of cancer
What we're looking at here is how far the cancer has spread.
- Stage 0: The cancer has not spread beyond where it started.
- Stage I (1): Cancer cells have spread a little to surrounding tissue, but have not spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
- Stage II (2): The cancer has spread a little deeper into the surrounding tissue. It may also have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III (3): The cancer may have spread to deeper layers of tissue, nearby and distant lymph nodes, and the tumor may be larger at this stage.
- Stage IV (4): The cancer has spread from where it started to distant organs in the body. This is what we call metastatic cancer.
What are the treatments for adenocarcinoma?
Treatment depends on the type of cancer, its location, size, and whether it has spread. There are three main treatment options.
1. Surgery: This is usually the first treatment. The goal is to surgically remove the cancerous tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue around it.
2. Chemotherapy: This involves giving powerful drugs that can kill cancer cells. These drugs can be given through injections or as pills.
3. Radiation therapy: This uses high-energy rays (such as X-rays) to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Often, one or more of these treatments are used together to achieve the best results. Your doctor will explain this to you in detail.
What can we do to reduce the risk?
Although there is no way to completely prevent adenocarcinoma, there are several things we can do to reduce the risk of developing it.
- Avoid tobacco products completely.
- Stay active. It is very important to exercise daily.
- Eat a balanced diet. Eat more vegetables, fruits, and greens.
- Maintain a healthy weight for you.
- Get regular medical checkups. It is important to get the necessary screenings as directed by your doctor, especially if you have a family history of cancer.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have one or more of the symptoms we discussed earlier that persist for more than two weeks , be sure to see a doctor. Also, if these symptoms interfere with your daily activities, seek medical advice immediately. Remember, the sooner the disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.
The emotions that come with being diagnosed with cancer are complex. It's normal to feel scared, angry, and sad. Remember that you are not alone. Your medical team, family, and friends are there to support you. Being well-informed about your disease and treatment can help you cope.
Take-Home Message
- Adenocarcinoma is a common type of cancer that begins in the glands of the body.
- This cancer most commonly occurs in organs such as the lungs, breast, colon, pancreas, and stomach.
- Be aware of symptoms such as persistent cough, weight loss, blood in the stool, and difficulty swallowing.
- The risk can be reduced by avoiding smoking and alcohol and following a healthy lifestyle.
- If you suspect any symptoms, do not panic or delay, but consult your doctor immediately. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment.
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