carcinoma and adenocarcinoma

[silver&gold]

Hi Ladies,
I was wondering if anybody could explain to me the difference between  carcinoma and adenocarcinoma ? . Ive always wanted to know because when im researching about clear cell ov carcinoma sometimes adenocarcinomas come up , Im sure there is a difference between the two , any ideas please ?

Thanks Angie

[silver&gold]

Hi Marty ,
Thankyou so much for that information , its been a question I have wanted the answer to for a long time , you are right about the complexity of it all and science was never my strength at school lol . I hope that both Leslee and yourself are well and thanks again.

Best wishes Angie

[SimplyStar]

Definition of adenocarinoma

Cancer that begins in the epithelial cells, which line certain internal organs and have glandular (secretory) properties. Some types of adenocarcinomas include cancers of the breast, thyroid, colon, stomach, pancreas, and prostate, as well as certain types of lung cancer.



definition of carcinoma

Classification of carcinoma
Carcinoma, like all neoplasia, is classified by its histopathological appearance. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, two common descriptive terms for tumors, reflect the fact that these cells may have glandular or squamous cell appearances respectively. Severely anaplastic tumors might be so undifferentiated that they do not have a distinct histological appearance (undifferentiated carcinoma).

Sometimes a tumour is referred to by the presumptive organ of the primary (eg carcinoma of the prostate) or the putative cell of origin (hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma).


Angie   I think it is just a slight split in terminology  for classification of type of cells. You have to be a pathologist to really understand the concrete differences in these cells. Shape, size, origin, pathway, sometimes even color .   Hope this helps as this was not one of my strong  studies.  LOL  marty