Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer. It starts in the glands that line your organs. Adenocarcinoma cancers can affect several areas of your body, including your lungs, stomach, pancreas and colon. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Survival rates vary depending on the location, stage and type of adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line your organs. These glands secrete mucus and digestive juices. If your glandular epithelial cells begin to change or grow out of control, tumors can form.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer involving your organs. It can affect several different areas of your body, most commonly the:
Even though adenocarcinomas begin growing in the glands that line your organs, they can eventually spread to other parts of your body. This may include your brain, liver, lymph nodes, bone and/or bone marrow.
When adenocarcinoma spreads, providers refer to it in one of two ways:
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Adenocarcinoma symptoms vary widely depending on which type you have. Some of the most common overlapping symptoms are:
The first symptom of adenocarcinoma of the lungs is usually a chronic cough. You may cough up saliva and mucus with small amounts of blood. Other symptoms may include:
Healthcare providers usually find adenocarcinoma of the breast on a mammogram in the early stages before most symptoms start. Other times, you may notice certain warning signs, including:
You may not notice any symptoms if the tumor hasn’t grown big enough. Even though colorectal adenocarcinoma typically causes bleeding in your stool (poop), the amount may be too small to see. Here are some other symptoms to watch for:
Most people who have adenocarcinoma of the pancreas don’t have symptoms until the late stages. The first warning signs are usually stomach pain and unintentional weight loss. Other symptoms include:
Most of the time, there are no early symptoms of prostate adenocarcinoma. In the advanced stages, you may develop erectile dysfunction or notice that you pee more than usual.
Symptoms of esophageal adenocarcinoma may include:
Stomach adenocarcinoma symptoms may include:
Adenocarcinoma happens when cells in the glands that line your organs divide uncontrollably and start to spread. Experts aren’t always sure why some people develop adenocarcinoma, but there are a few risk factors to consider:
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A healthcare provider will start with a physical exam. They’ll ask about your symptoms and run some tests. These tests may include:
Healthcare providers look at cell differentiation to determine what grade of adenocarcinoma you have. Differentiation relates to how abnormal your cancer cells look under a microscope:
Once you receive a diagnosis, your healthcare provider will stage the cancer. How they stage it can differ depending on the location. But here are some general guidelines:
Treatment depends on the location, size and type of tumor. It also depends on whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. There are three main adenocarcinoma treatments:
Some of the general side effects after adenocarcinoma surgery include:
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects. They can help you find ways to ease your symptoms and make you more comfortable.
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Even though you can’t prevent adenocarcinoma altogether, there are some things you can do to lower your risk:
Adenocarcinoma outlook varies depending on the type, location and size of the tumor. Cancers that are hard to diagnose in the early stages are more likely to be fatal compared to cancers that are detectable early on.
Treatment can successfully manage adenocarcinoma in many cases. Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer, its location and stage.
Survival rates depend on the specific type of adenocarcinoma, its stage and its location. Keep in mind that medical professionals estimate survival rates according to other people’s outcomes. They can’t predict what will happen in your specific case, but they can give you a better understanding of your situation.
A relative survival rate compares people with the same type and stage of cancer to the general population. It shows whether the disease shortens life. The five-year relative survival rate is a measure of how many people are still alive five years after their diagnosis. The following statistics are based on U.S. research:
Type of Adenocarcinoma | Five-year survival rate |
---|---|
Prostatic | 99% |
Breast | 90% |
Colorectal | 90% |
Lung | 56% |
Esophageal | 47% |
Gastric (stomach) | 32% |
Pancreatic | 10% |
Type of Adenocarcinoma | |
Prostatic | |
Five-year survival rate | |
99% | |
Breast | |
Five-year survival rate | |
90% | |
Colorectal | |
Five-year survival rate | |
90% | |
Lung | |
Five-year survival rate | |
56% | |
Esophageal | |
Five-year survival rate | |
47% | |
Gastric (stomach) | |
Five-year survival rate | |
32% | |
Pancreatic | |
Five-year survival rate | |
10% |
Going through adenocarcinoma treatment can leave you feeling helpless and frustrated. One way to regain a sense of control is to practice self-care. Here are some suggestions:
If you want to exercise, be sure that you talk to your healthcare provider before incorporating anything new into your routine. This will ensure that you stay as healthy as possible during treatment.
You should visit your healthcare provider if symptoms last longer than two weeks. If symptoms interfere with your daily life, schedule an appointment immediately.
Talking with your healthcare provider can help you understand your situation and make informed decisions. Here are some questions you can ask to learn more about your adenocarcinoma diagnosis:
Adenocarcinoma is a life-changing diagnosis. Where do you go from here? How is it going to affect your world? Remember, it’s OK to feel how you feel, and it’s normal to have complicated emotions. Your healthcare team is here to help. They can give you resources and recommend support groups to help you cope. Learning everything you can about your diagnosis can help prepare you for possible treatment options and empower you to take control of your healthcare.
Last reviewed on 06/25/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy