Glandular cancer: what is it, types, symptoms, methods of treatment

Modern medicine makes it possible to detect tumor foci before cancer threatens a person's life. But for this, everyone should know the signs of cancerous tumors and the symptoms for which you need to see a doctor. Some neoplasms are benign, but glandular cancer, or adenocarcinoma, is more likely to be malignant.

About the disease

Despite the high prevalence of adenocarcinomas among patients of oncological departments of hospitals, doctors have long argued about the causes of this type of cancer. It is believed that everything begins with mutational processes in the glandular cells of the epithelium. Epithelial tissues are part of the building material of each organ, so there can be a lot of options for tumor localization.

When the disease begins, the resulting tumor produces serous or mucous discharge, due to which it metastasizes to other body systems and organs. Metastases can appear even in the early stages of this type of cancer.

The epithelial tissues of the stomach, intestinal loops and lungs are most commonly affected. In these cases, the oncologist will talk about the presence of a differentiated neoplasm, whose tissues are similar to an adenoma.

Varieties

Adenocarcinomas can be classified according to several criteria. The first classification is based on the results of histology. In accordance with it, three types of adenocarcinomas are distinguished:

1. poorly differentiated;
2. moderately differentiated;
3. highly differentiated.
   

   Varieties of glandular cancer according to the results of histology

Oncologists also classify according to the location of the tumor. This typing is more extensive and gives more information about the nature of the neoplasm.

Name	Peculiarities
Serous Serous adenocarcinoma	They look like multi-chamber cystic tumors, in their structure containing serous fluid, which resembles the discharge characteristic of the epithelium in the fallopian tubes. The tumor can grow to a very large size. It develops in the ovaries, but as it grows, it can go beyond them, due to which the functioning of the nearby organs of the female reproductive system is disrupted.
Endometriodal Endometrioid adenocarcinoma	Formed in the lower abdomen. Most often, they are diagnosed when women contact a doctor about complaints of pain or prolonged bleeding. Concomitant symptoms are increased fatigue, sudden weight loss, feeling of weakness throughout the day.
Mucinous Mucinous adenocarcinoma	The most common localization is in the intestinal loops. The structure of the tumor contains epithelial cells in which mucin is present. The tumor has poorly defined boundaries and secretes a lot of mucus. Relapse often occurs after treatment.
Papillary Papillary adenocarcinoma	It is usually diagnosed in the lungs, kidneys, ovaries, thyroid gland. In the future, it can metastasize and penetrate into bone structures. The neoplasm itself is characterized by a papillary shape, its growths protrude into the lumen of the glands and cystic cavities.
Clear cell Clear cell adenocarcinoma	The most malignant of all adenocarcinomas. First of all, it affects the organs of the woman's genitourinary system. Each neoplasm of this type can include flattened, polygonal and nail-like cells. Metastasis starts from the earliest stages and proceeds extremely quickly.
Small acinar Small acinar adenocarcinoma	The lobules located in the prostate gland are affected. As the cancer progresses, the tumor moves outside the gland, spreading to the tissues located next to it. It is possible to identify small acinar adenocarcinoma by taking material for histological analysis, because the presence of this type of cancer is not reflected in other analyzes. The first metastases appear in the lymph nodes and organs of the abdominal cavity.

Other classifications are based on biopsy results and other parameters. Each oncologist decides for himself which classification to use.

Formation of glandular cancer

In order for a person to live a long time, his cells are constantly renewed. Obsolete or damaged ones die off, and new ones are produced in their place. But sometimes in the process of division and growth of the latter, failures occur. Most often, this occurs with a combination of factors that are defined by oncologists as "carcinogenic". These include:

• labor activity in hazardous industries;
  

  Work in hazardous work is one of the most common causes of cancer.

• trauma to moles and melanomas;
  

  Accidental injury to a mole or melanoma can have serious consequences

• eating carcinogens, etc.
  

  Frequent consumption of carcinogenic products significantly increases the risk of adenocarcinoma of the stomach and other organs of the digestive system

When the mechanism of cell division is knocked down, division occurs in a chaotic manner. Glandular cancer begins when this kind of malfunction affects epithelial tissue, in which there are glandular inclusions.

Unlike benign formations, malignant ones are characterized by accelerated growth rates, the spread of the tumor outside the affected organs, "infection" of adjacent tissues and extensive metastases. At the same time, the size of the focus is not important when it comes to the clinical picture of cancer. Even with a small neoplasm, the sick person feels a clear deterioration in well-being, and the symptoms are manifested clearly.

Development factors

It is difficult to trace the exact dependence of the development of adenocarcinoma on any environmental factors or the patient's lifestyle. Medical research conducted around the world suggests that in most cases, the cause of glandular cancer became stagnant, when the mucous secretion ceased to be excreted from the tissues and led to inflammatory process.

Doctors also believe that with bacterial damage to tissues located in the gastrointestinal tract, adenocarcinoma can also develop. Such a lesion can be triggered by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

A person is at risk of facing glandular cancer if him:

• established the presence of ulcerative intestinal defects;
• a history of atrophic colitis and polyps;
  

  The presence of polyps in the epithelial layer increases the risk of adenocarcinoma

• there is HPV - human papillomavirus;
• radioactive territories or objects are located near the place of residence;
  

  Radioactive objects located near places of residence pose a great danger

• have regular contact with chemicals or asbestos;
• the place of residence has a poor ecological climate.
  

  Environmental pollution is considered one of the most common causes of the development of cancerous tumors.

Bad habits and wrong lifestyle also increase the likelihood of developing cancer, for example:

• love of tobacco or alcohol;
  

  Alcohol and smoking increase the likelihood of developing cancer

• frequent hypothermia and infectious diseases;
• unhealthy diet, in which the diet is based on fried, fatty, smoked, canned, heavy meals;
• refusal to use vitamins necessary for the normal functioning of the body;
  

  Lack of vitamins and minerals reduces the body's chances of fighting adenocarcinoma

• improper protection during sex;
• casual sex.
  

  With casual sexual intercourse, there is a high risk of contracting various infections

Risk factors are also advanced age, a genetically transmitted predisposition to this type of cancer, complications that have arisen after surgery, and a tendency to constipation. If a person is chronically in stressful situations or experiences regular physical or emotional overload, he is also at risk.

Symptomatic picture

Like most types of cancer, glandular often does not manifest itself in the early stages of development. Usually, a person finds out that he is sick by donating blood for tumor markers. But, as always in the fight against cancer, the sooner they are discovered, the more chances you have to defeat the disease.

If the adenocarcinoma has struck the cells of the uterus, the woman will feel chronic pain impulses, which are especially distinct in the lumbar spine. The bleeding, which she takes for menstrual bleeding, is actually uterine and is of a different nature, more profuse. Cancer often occurs with menopause.

If a tumor develops in the endometrium, then during menopause bleeding is not only abundant, but also extremely painful. This does not always increase the size of the uterus, because cancer often affects only its upper section.

Most recently, alarming symptoms are noted by those who are diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the testicles, cervix, lungs or vagina. Moreover, even therapy - complete removal of the infected organ, accompanied by chemotherapy - does not guarantee that the disease will not recur. If we are talking about lung cancer, then it is signaled by the appearance of a cough with phlegm and mucus, sometimes even pus. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes more and more debilitating, accompanied by fever, weakness, and fatigue. When lung cancer reaches its final stage, a person is short of air even when they are not doing any physical activity.

Men can get glandular cancer localized in the prostate gland. Difficulty urinating, poor urine pressure, more and more frequent urge to go to the toilet, a feeling of heaviness where the prostate is located, as well as blood in the urea, speak of the disease.

When the pancreas is affected, a person feels pain in the upper abdomen, which can radiate to the spine. The pain is accompanied by a sharp weight loss, problems with stools and increased flatulence. Cancer in the spleen enlarges it and also leads to varicose veins located in the esophagus and stomach. The same goes for adenocarcinoma in the small and large intestine, as well as in the liver.

Advice. Any deterioration in general well-being is a reason to see a doctor.

Diagnostics

In order to accurately establish the focus of the formation of the neoplasm and the type of the latter, the doctor carefully collects the patient's history. In this case, all complaints are recorded, palpation, auscultation and percussion are performed.

Laboratory and hardware research are irreplaceable. It is required to pass a blood test and conduct a study for tumor markers. In addition, the patient is sent for x-ray to find out the condition of the bone structures, lungs and abdominal organs. If the equipment of the hospital allows, it is advisable to undergo magnetic resonance imaging. Thanks to her, oncologists can notice even the smallest tumor focus and metastases. Without MRI, it is difficult to talk about cancer of the urogenital area.

If there is a suspicion that cancer develops in the abdominal cavity, then they resort to endoscopy, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. The bladder is examined by cytoscopy, and the esophagus and stomach are examined by fibrogastroscopy. A biopsy is mandatory, with tissue sampling at the site of tumor formation.

When all available diagnostic methods are used, based on the results obtained, the oncologist can make an accurate diagnosis and proceed to therapy.

Therapies

With timely access to a medical institution, the patient's chances of recovery increase. The modern level of medicine makes it possible to successfully treat glandular cancer. But this requires complex therapy.

Complex therapy measures include:

• surgical removal of the neoplasm;
  

  Cancer tumors are removed by surgery

• carrying out radiation or chemotherapy to reduce the activity of those cells that have already mutated.
  

  Radiation therapy is used to reduce the activity of mutated cells

Thanks to this strategy, remission can be achieved that will last for decades. In this case, the operation is indicated for all patients, regardless of which organ adenocarcinoma was detected in them. The oncologist himself will determine the time frame in which the manipulation must be carried out, as well as the amount of excision. If the patient seeks a doctor at an early stage, then the organ can be partially preserved thanks to innovative techniques. When the stage is late, not only the affected organ itself is removed, but also those lymph nodes that are next to it.

With strict contraindications to surgical treatment, only radiation therapy is used, but without surgery it is less effective. The doctor selects chemotherapy drugs for each patient individually. It depends on what type of tumor, where it is located and what size it has reached. Individual intolerance to drugs and the general condition of the patient also play an important role in this.

Not so long ago, they began to try to treat adenocarcinoma with tomotherapy. During it, the patient is placed under a special scanner that acts on the neoplasm.

Everyone can reduce their likelihood of developing glandular cancer. To do this, one should abandon work in hazardous industries, bad habits, enrich the diet and treat infectious diseases in a timely manner. And if there are signs of illness, consult a doctor.

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