How to Define Carcinoma

A carcinoma defines specific types of malignant tumors that exist in the epithelial cells (in the organ linings and in the skin) of the body. From these cells they invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body through the lymph nodes, a process referred to as metastasizing. The carcinoma's usually named for their origins or the organs from which they originate. 

1. Understand that carcinomas originate in the tissues of the skin and body organs commonly found in the breast, liver, prostate, stomach, colon and the lungs. 


2. Realize that five varieties of carcinomas exist: large cell undifferentiated carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.


3. Diagnose carcinomas in several ways depending on the location of the carcinoma cells. Biopsies allow for diagnosis that includes removal of the cancerous cells or fine-needle aspiration, or both procedures. Any cancer found will need further analysis to determine the degree of spreading (staging) and to determine how the tissue may have changed from its original state (grading).


4. Understand the different symptoms of carcinomas which vary with their location. Some sufferers of carcinomas experience symptoms in the early stages of the cancer while other sufferers experience symptoms only after the cancer has reached its advanced stages. Symptoms often experienced include loss of appetite, malaise, tiredness, weight loss and chills.


5. Know the treatments available for these carcinomas and how they will vary with their location. The available treatment options do not represent cures, but will provide a better quality of life since they result in symptom improvement. Treatments include surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation. The type of treatment performed will vary with the advancement of the carcinoma.


6. Understand that more humans will suffer from skin cancers than any other carcinomas. Know that squamous and basal cell carcinomas most often represent the cancers seen. Basal cell carcinomas make up 90 percent of all cancers the US. Usually over 50 years old, patients suffering from this carcinoma show ultraviolet light exposure and over exposure to the sun. Because it spreads to other areas of the body, the squamous cell carcinoma, also connected to over exposure to the sun, represents an even more dangerous form of cancer than basal cell carcinomas.


7. Understand that more cancer deaths link to lung carcinomas than any other type of cancer and 85 percent of those attributed to cigarette smoking. By the time lung cancer diagnosis has ended, the spread of the cancer has already moved to other parts of the body.