Carcinoma: what it is, whether it is cancer, and what types exist

The word "carcinoma" in a report is frightening above all because it is unclear. Yet it has a specific medical meaning, and what examinations will be offered next depends on it. Below is a calm breakdown of the wording that appears in reports.

What carcinoma is and whether it is cancer

Carcinoma is a malignant tumor that develops from cells of epithelial tissue: the skin, mucous membranes, and many internal organs. Epithelium covers the body on the outside and the inside, so carcinoma can arise in almost any organ. It is the most common type of malignant tumor.

The answer is direct: carcinoma is cancer. Tumors can be benign or malignant; the former are not cancer, the latter are. Carcinoma is always malignant. Cancer is not one disease but many: more than 200 different types have been described.

At the root are changes in the cell's genes. Normally the body gets rid of damaged cells, but with age this ability declines.

Types of carcinoma: how the structure is determined

"Carcinoma" is a general name for malignant tumors of the epithelium, and the type is determined by the cells from which the tumor grew. From stratified squamous epithelium that contacts the external environment (skin, mucosa of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, rectum), squamous cell carcinoma develops. From the epithelium of glandular tissues — for example, the glands of the bronchi or the breast — a tumor of a different structure develops.

The type of carcinoma is determined by the epithelial cells from which the tumor grew. Besides the cell type, a tumor is named after the organ where it began.

Invasive carcinoma and invasive cancer: what "invasive" means

Cells of a malignant tumor can grow into neighboring tissues. The word "invasive" in a report refers to this.

Metastases in carcinoma: what is known

The spread of a tumor to other places is called metastasis, and the new foci are called metastases, or secondary cancer. Cells break away from the primary tumor and are carried with the flow of lymph or blood: with lymph they more often lodge in regional lymph nodes, with blood they reach distant organs — the lungs, liver, bones.

The mechanism is common to malignant tumors, and carcinoma is no exception here. Symptoms and next steps depend on the type of tumor and on how far it has spread.

How the type of carcinoma is established

There is no single test that immediately shows cancer. The examination is built from the symptoms: asking about the medical history and cases of cancer in the family, an examination, and if necessary a screening study (mammography, colonoscopy, Pap smear), blood tests, or imaging.

The type of cells is established by a biopsy — the taking and examination of tissue, cells, or fluid. Its result makes clear whether this is a carcinoma or another type of tumor and from which epithelium it grew.

When to see a doctor

Symptoms depend on the type of tumor, but there are general signs with which people go to a doctor:

• a new lump or swelling anywhere on the body;
• unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite;
• unusual bleeding, blood in the urine or stool;
• a cough that does not go away or gets worse, blood when coughing;
• a change in a mole, a non-healing wound or ulcer.

There can be other signs too: prolonged sweating, especially at night, a temperature that persists or returns, unusual fatigue, bleeding for no reason. Most of these symptoms are often caused by other conditions and do not mean cancer. But if changes do not go away within a few weeks, the examination should not be delayed: cancer often does not hurt. If cancer is suspected, the doctor will refer you for an urgent consultation with a specialist.

103/112 — if vomiting with blood appears or there are signs of stroke or heart attack; carcinoma in a report by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance.

Once the type of tumor is clarified, ask the doctor what examinations are still ahead and what each of them shows, as well as where to find support groups for patients and their loved ones. This material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer