Adenocarcinoma

What is adenocarcinoma?

Carcinoma refers to a form of cancer that develops in the body’s epithelial tissue, which is the tissue that lines the internal organs of the body, as well as the skin. If the cancer first forms in the glands that line your organs, this is known as adenocarcinoma. It can affect several areas of the body, including the lungs, stomach, colon, esophagus, breast, prostate and more.

What causes adenocarcinoma?

The exact cause of adenocarcinoma is not known. Factors such as smoking, exposure to toxins or past radiation therapy can all increase the risk of developing adenocarcinoma.

What are the symptoms of adenocarcinoma?

The symptoms of adenocarcinoma can vary widely depending on what part of the body is affected by the cancer. In most cases, symptoms aren’t obvious early on but become more prevalent as the cancer grows. Some common symptoms of adenocarcinoma include unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea or diarrhea, loss of appetite, chest pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing and more.

How can adenocarcinoma affect children?

Adenocarcinomas rarely occur in children. If they do, they tend to be more severe and aggressive than they are in adults.

What are adenocarcinoma treatments?

The treatments for adenocarcinoma are similar to the treatments for other forms of cancer. The three primary treatment types are surgery to remove the cancer and surrounding tissue, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells and radiation therapy in conjunction with the other two treatments.

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Reviewed by: Maggie Fader, MD

This page was last updated on: July 29, 2025 03:48 PM