Carcinoma cancer
In medicine, carcinoma is any cancer that
arises from epithelial cells. It is malignant by definition: carcinomas invade
surrounding tissues and organs, and may spread to lymph nodes and distal sites
(metastasis). Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is a pre-malignant condition, in which
cytological signs of malignancy are present, but there is no histological
evidence of invasion through the epithelial basement membrane.
Classification of carcinoma
Carcinoma, like all neoplasia, is classified by
its histopathological appearance. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma,
two common descriptive terms for tumours, reflect the fact that these cells may
have glandular or squamous cell appearances respectively. Severely anaplastic
tumours might be so undifferentiated that they do not have a distinct
histological appearance (undifferentiated carcinoma).
Sometimes a tumour is referred to by the presumptive organ of the primary (eg
carcinoma of the prostate) or the putative cell of origin (hepatocellular
carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma).
Types of carcinoma
Carcinoma, like all neoplasia, is classified by
its histopathological appearance. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma,
two common descriptive terms for tumours, reflect the fact that these cells may
have glandular or squamous cell appearances respectively. Severely anaplastic
tumours might be so undifferentiated that they do not have a distinct
histological appearance.
Sometimes a tumor is referred to by the presumptive organ of the primary (eg
carcinoma of the prostate) or the putative cell of origin (hepatocellular
carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma).
Staging
Carcinomas, like all cancers, are staged
according to the extent of disease. The UICC/AJCC TNM system is often used,
however for some common tumours, classic staging methods (such as the Dukes
classification for colon cancer) are still used.
Cell carcinoma
refers to any of several types of malignant
growths of the urinary bladder. The image to the right shows a papillary cell
tumor, the most common type of bladder cancer. Papillary transitional cell
carcinoma is a cancer of the transitional epithelial cells of the bladder. The
greatest risk factor for bladder cancer is a genetic predisposition; it is also
associated with smoking and occupational exposure to aniline-based dyes (such as
in textile factories), as well as with petrol and other chemicals.
The treatment of bladder cancer depends on how deep the tumor invades into the
bladder wall. Superficial tumors (those not entering the muscle layer) can be
"shaved off" using an electrocautery device. Tumors which infiltrate the bladder
require more radical surgery where part or all of the bladder is removed and the
urinary stream is diverted. Radiation can also be used to treat this disease.
Src:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinoma
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