Adenocarcinoma

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Adenocarcinoma is a form of carcinoma that originates in glandular tissue. To be classified as adenocarcinoma, the cells do not necessarily need to be part of a gland, as long as they have secretory properties. This form of carcinoma can occur in some higher mammals, including humans.^[1] The term adenocarcinoma is derived from ‘adeno’ meaning ‘pertaining to a gland’ and ‘carcinoma‘, which describes a cancer that has developed in the epithelial cells. It can first present as an adenoma (a glandular tumor that is benign).

Pathophysiology

Examples of tissues where adenocarcinomas may arise:

Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Stomach cancer
Pancreatic cancer (99% of pancreatic cancers are ductal adenocarcinomas [2])
Cervical cancer
Vaginal cancer

Physical Examination

Adenocarcinoma-In The Submandibular Salivary Glands

Adenocarcinoma-In The Submandibular Salivary Glands
Adapted from Dermatology Atlas
Adenocarcinoma-In The Submandibular Salivary Glands
Adapted from Dermatology Atlas
Adenocarcinoma-In The Submandibular Salivary Glands
Adapted from Dermatology Atlas

Differential Diagnosis

Diseases	Risk factors/Epidemiology	History	Clinical Findings	Gross Pathology	Histopathology	Immunohistochemistry	Lab Findings	Imaging	Metastatic Potential	Gold Standard	Additional Findings
Head & Neck Cancer
Paranasal Sinus Cancer
Lung Cancer
Breast Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Diseases	Risk factors/Epidemiology	History	Clinical Findings	Gross Pathology	Histopathology	Immunohistochemistry	Lab Findings	Imaging	Metastatic Potential	Gold Standard	Additional Findings
Gastric Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Small Bowel Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Appendix Cancer
Diseases	Risk factors/Epidemiology	History	Clinical Findings	Gross Pathology	Histopathology	Immunohistochemistry	Lab Findings	Imaging	Metastatic Potential	Gold Standard	Additional Findings
Gallbladder Cancer
Anal Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Vaginal Cancer
Endometrial Cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Diseases	Risk factors/Epidemiology	History	Clinical Findings	Gross Pathology	Histopathology	Immunohistochemistry	Lab Findings	Imaging	Metastatic Potential	Gold Standard	Additional Findings
Prostate Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Urinary Bladder Cancer
Urethral Cancer
Metastatic Cancer
Cancer of Unknown Primary

References

↑ Fauquier, D.A., Gulland, F.M.D.,(Marine Mammal Center), Haulena, M., Spraker, T., ‘’Biliary adenocarcinoma in a stranded Northern elephant seal (‘’Mirounga angustirortsis’‘)’‘, Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39(3):723-726 (2003)

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[1] Fauquier, D.A., Gulland, F.M.D.,(Marine Mammal Center), Haulena, M., Spraker, T., ‘’Biliary adenocarcinoma in a stranded Northern elephant seal (‘’Mirounga angustirortsis’‘)’‘, Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39(3):723-726 (2003)

[1]