Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor. It develops from glandular tissue. Adenocarcinoma can develop in different areas of the body.
What is adenocarcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor. It develops from glandular tissue. In medicine, changes in glandular tissue are divided into adenoma and adenocarcinoma. Adenoma is a benign cell change. The malignant change of the tissue is called adenocarcinoma. In these cases, physicians also speak of a malignant tumor. Malignancy is the term used to describe processes of physical change that are both progressive and destructive in nature. In severe cases, they can lead to the death of the patient. Adenocarcinomas occur in a variety of different cancers, spreading almost throughout the entire body. Among the best known are breast cancer, stomach cancer or colon cancer. In addition, an adenocarcinoma is also found in lung cancer, kidney carcinoma as well as prostate carcinoma. Other cancers in which an adenocarcinoma is formed are the
pancreatic carcinoma, bile duct carcinoma, esophageal carcinoma and corpus carcinoma in utero. The adenocarcinomas have different growth patterns, which are subdivided micro- as well as macrobiolgically. They are often manifested by an involuntary loss of weight, the appearance of nausea, unexplained bleeding, and a lack of energy or strength despite the presence of willpower.
Causes
They are diverse and not all risk factors have been found so far. Therefore, a generally valid statement cannot be made. Genetic dispositions are present in some people. These can be inherited or have arisen in the course of life through mutation. In addition, environmental influences such as gases or pollutants in the air are considered to trigger cancer. A weakened immune system can also increase the risk of tumor disease. The ingestion of toxins through alcohol or nicotine is considered carcinogenic. If the body is exposed to strong stress over a longer period of time, cell divisions increase. This can be a cause of tumor formation.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Symptoms depend on the site of origin and the type of adenocarcinoma. Therefore, individual symptoms occur. Frequently, there is blood in the urine or stool and vomiting of blood. Unexplained pain occurs in the affected regions. Digestion is disturbed or a feeling of body tightness develops. Palpable hardening of the neoplasms may occur, or bulges may appear under the skin due to the proliferating tissue. Dysfunctions or failures of the affected organs occur. The patient suffers from lack of energy, nausea or vomiting. Symptoms are varied and are often initially attributed to other conditions, such as a cold or infarction. Pain during urination or sexual activity may occur. Physical or sporting activities are perceived as strenuous. The general feeling of well-being decreases and a change in mood may occur. Pain increases steadily over the following weeks. Insomnia, restlessness and fatigue may occur.
Diagnosis and course
The growth of adenocarcinoma is progressive. The carcinoma usually grows for weeks or months until it is surgically removed. The diagnosis is made by a physician. Methods used include imaging, such as X-rays, obtaining a blood count, or taking tissue samples.
When should you see a doctor?
The danger of adenocarcinoma is that this form of cancer is often diagnosed too late. Initial symptoms such as heartburn and mild difficulty swallowing, often do not prompt a visit to the doctor. This is not necessary at first, but the symptoms should continue to be observed. If they persist, a consultation with the family doctor is advisable. If symptoms such as pain when eating, cramps of the esophagus or a choking sensation in the throat occur, a doctor should be consulted promptly. If a disease of the esophagus is suspected, a referral to an internist is usually issued. The symptoms mentioned can not only indicate a life-threatening disease, they also severely limit the quality of life.If no treatment or symptomatic self-treatment is given, the symptoms will intensify. The esophagus is further irritated by rising stomach and bile acids. In case of persistent sore throat, hoarseness, cough, increased salivation, belching, palpable lumps in the throat area as well as permanently swollen lymph nodes, a specialist (ENT, internist) should also be consulted. Further symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting (especially if blood is present) occur as the disease progresses and require immediate treatment. Failure to treat leads to life-threatening conditions due to dehydration, mineral deficiency and impending circulatory collapse. The accompanying weight loss causes the patient to progressively lose resistance. Persistent or severe neck and back pain are also serious complaints that indicate that the disease has progressed far.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment for adenocarcinoma depends on the size and site of origin of the carcinoma. In most cases, surgery is performed. During this procedure, the diseased tissue is removed. This is followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In chemotherapy, substances are used to prevent cell division. The substances used are cytostatics. Within the therapy the cell division of cancer cells as well as of healthy cells is prevented. This leads to the fact that the patient of chemotherapy suffers from numerous side effects. These include hair loss, impairment of the mucous membranes in the nose, mouth and throat, and digestive tract complaints. The patient suffers from exhaustion, fatigue, vomiting and nausea. In addition, there may be an increased tendency to bleed. Within radiation therapy, the diseased tissue is attacked and destroyed by ionizing radiation. Side effects of the therapy include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and loss of appetite. In addition, digestive problems and inflammatory skin changes may occur. The side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy are very stressful for the patient. They are long-lasting and can trigger further psychological problems. The affected person cannot pursue any professional activity for several months or years. In addition, he lives for several years in fear that the cancer will continue to spread, develop in new places, or recur despite the measures taken.
Outlook and prognosis
Because adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor, it presents with the usual complications of cancer, which can severely limit the quality of life and, in the worst cases, lead to the death of the patient. In most cases, there is blood in the stool or bloody vomiting. Patients often suffer from panic attacks when they see bloody vomit or a bloody bowel movement. Furthermore, there is discomfort during digestion and abdominal pain. Those affected suffer from diarrhea, nausea and have to vomit frequently. There is also pain when going to the toilet and a general feeling of illness. Most patients also suffer from a change in mood and depressive moods. Pain and discomfort during digestion can also lead to sleep problems. The loss of appetite also leads to malnutrition and deficiency symptoms. The treatment itself does not lead to complications. However, complete healing cannot take place if the tumor has already spread to other regions of the body. In the further course, the patient dies as a result of the cancer. Life expectancy due to adenocarcinoma is usually limited.
Prevention
To prevent adenocarcinoma, there are no fixed and universal prevention methods. A healthy lifestyle can minimize the risk of developing carcinoma, but it should not be considered the sole preventive measure. A healthy and balanced diet and the avoidance of toxins such as alcohol, nicotine or drugs are recommended measures. Furthermore, attention should be paid to adequate sleep and permanent stress should be avoided. As an additional measure, participation in various regular check-ups can be used. The control examinations should be carried out from a certain age in repeating temporal intervals.
Aftercare
With adenocarcinoma, the options for follow-up care are usually severely limited. Since this disease is a tumor, the affected person should participate in regular examinations to identify and treat further tumors at an early stage. In general, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease has a positive effect on the further course and can prevent complications. In most cases, adenocarcinoma is removed with surgery. After this procedure, the patient should rest and take care of his or her body. Strenuous activities or sporting activities should be avoided in order to spare the body. Furthermore, radiation therapy is often necessary to completely relieve the symptoms. However, adenocarcinoma cannot always be treated in general. In some cases, it also leads to the death of the affected person or to a significantly reduced life expectancy. Since adenocarcinoma can also lead to psychological discomfort or depression, contact with other sufferers of the disease is useful. This can lead to an exchange of information, which can make everyday life easier.
What you can do yourself
A diagnosed adenocarcinoma is a serious disease that requires medical treatment. Self-treatment cannot cure the disease, but symptoms can be alleviated. The greatest impairment in everyday life is the discomfort of swallowing during food intake. Therefore, the consistency of the food should not be too solid. Foods that are too hot and spicy also irritate the mucous membrane of the esophagus and can cause additional pain. To avoid heartburn – which would also attack the mucosa – eating several small meals spread throughout the day has proven beneficial. Basically, a balanced, healthy diet is very important. A sufficient amount of vitamins, fiber and minerals strengthens the body’s defenses and supports the organism during the healing process. It is also important to minimize additional stress: Exercise in the fresh air, relaxation exercises such as autogenic training, light endurance sports or listening to music can help. Since cancer is also a great psychological burden for those affected, consultation with a psychotherapist should be considered. Regular discussions in a self-help group can also help to balance out this psychological pressure. To support the body during chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the intake of concentrated micronutrients or homeopathics is a possibility.
