Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionTypesCausesRisk Factors for CarcinomaDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Types
Causes
Risk Factors for Carcinoma
Diagnosis
Treatment
A carcinoma is a type of cancer that forms solid tumors. Carcinomas can appear in the skin, breasts, internal organs, and glands. They form in epithelial cells, which line the outer surface of the skin and the covering and lining of organs and internal passageways, such as the gastrointestinal tract.
Carcinoma accounts for 80% to 90% of all cancer diagnoses.
Carcinoma cells multiply rapidly and form a solid mass (a tumor). The progression of the disease is described in stages, while the characteristics of the cells, described in grades, predict how aggressive or indolent (slow-growing) the malignancy will be.
Fatcamera / Getty Images
What Is a Carcinoma?
A carcinoma is a cancer that forms in the cells that line your organs and skin, called epithelial tissue. Carcinomas can occur in the skin and breasts and internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and colon.
Some of the other types of malignant (cancerous) tumors aresarcomas,leukemias,lymphomas, blastomas, melanomas,myelomas, and germ-cell tumors. Each affects a different type of cells.
Types of Cancer and How They Differ
Types of Carcinoma
The most commonly diagnosed types of carcinoma are adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive ductal carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line organs. It includesbreast,colorectal,lung,stomach,prostate,pancreatic, andesophagealcancers, among others. Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer),renal cell carcinoma(kidney cancer), andcholangiocarcinoma(bile duct cancer) are common types of adenocarcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinomais the most common type ofskin cancer. It affects basal cells (which produce new skin cells) in the lower part of the epidermis (surface level of the skin). For most people, BCC is not life-threatening. It tends to grow slowly, and it seldom spreads to another part of the body. When found early, this skin cancer is highly treatable.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Also known as epidermoid carcinoma,squamous cell carcinomaaffects squamous cells (which make up the epidermis) and can cause skin, lung,oral,head and neck, esophageal,cervical,vaginal,bladder, prostate, andpenile cancer. It is the second most common form of skin cancer after BCC.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Ductal carcinoma in situis diagnosed when cancerous cells are found inside the milk ducts of the breast.In situ(in place) means that the cancerous cells have not spread to other tissues. DCIS is not an invasive breast cancer but can potentially lead to invasive cancer if not treated. It is most often found during a mammogram.
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
Invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC), also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma or invasive breast cancer, starts in the milk ducts of the breast and spreads into surrounding breast tissues. IDC is also the main type of breast cancer found in men.
The majority of breast, colorectal, kidney, liver, lung, oral, pancreatic, and prostate cancers are carcinomas.
There are also variations in carcinoma cell types—such asadenosquamouscarcinomas, anaplastic carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma—the features of which can predict the aggressiveness of the disease.
What Causes Carcinoma?
One of the leading theories is that multiple genetic mutations accumulate in a progenitor cell (a cell, like a stem cell, that can differentiate to create a specialized cell). Certain combinations of mutations can lead to the development of a cancer stem cell, which produces cancer cells and causes cancer.
These cancer cells have distinctive properties:
When mutations occur in the progenitor cells of the epithelium, they may produce a benign tumor (such as an adenoma) or a malignant one (carcinoma).
The reason why carcinoma mutations occur is not entirely understood. They are believed to be the result of a combination of factors.
Risk factors for adenocarcinoma vary depending on where in the body these cancers develop but include:
Basal and squamous cell carcinoma
The main risk factor for basal and squamous cell skin cancers is unprotected UV radiation exposure (sun or tanning bed) over multiple years. Light-skinned blue or green-eyed blondes and redheads have the highest risk. Other risks include:
In situ and invasive ductal carcinoma
Risk factors for in-situ and invasive ductal carcinomas include:
Non-BRCA Gene Mutations That Raise Breast Cancer Risk
In certain cancers, age plays a central role. This is especially true with carcinomas, the risk of which increases with age. According to the National Cancer Institute, the median age of diagnosis for breast cancer is 62 years old, 67 years old for colorectal cancer, 71 years old for lung cancer, and 66 years old for prostate cancer.All of these are predominantly associated with carcinoma.
Is Carcinoma Common in Children?Unlike some forms of cancer, such as leukemia, carcinomas are exceptionally rare in children, accounting for about 5% of cases.
Is Carcinoma Common in Children?
Unlike some forms of cancer, such as leukemia, carcinomas are exceptionally rare in children, accounting for about 5% of cases.
Mutations alone are unlikely to produce cancer, as recent data shows that they may be present in noncancerous cells. Additional factors inside and outside a cell are needed for a cell with genetic mutations to progress to a cancerous cell.
Scientists have yet to determine which genetic mutations are associated with a particular type of cancer or what other factors besides genes are responsible for that cancer type. A genetic mutation linked to several different carcinomas isBRCA mutations.
Although a variety of tests can be used to screen for carcinomas in different parts of the body—including imaging studies (mammograms,CT,MRI), lab tests (cytology,PSA), and procedures (colonoscopy,thoracentesis)—carcinomas are definitively diagnosed based on an examination of the cancer cells under the microscope.
Carcinomas involve solid tumors, so the investigation typically includes abiopsy(when cells or tissue are taken from your body to be examined under a microscope). Going through a biopsy does not mean that you have cancer.
Types of biopsies include:
What Is Stage 3 Cancer?
The differentiation of carcinoma cells can predict how aggressive or indolent cancer may be.
“Well-differentiated” means the cells behave and act similarly to normal cells, and the cancer is likely to develop slowly. Undifferentiated means the cells are very immature and primitive, and they lack the features used to identify and classify different cancers. An undifferentiated cancer is more aggressive than a well-differentiated cancer.
These tests are used to not only diagnose carcinomas but also to stage and grade the disease.
Cancer Staging and GradingStaging and grading describe both the severity and likely course of the disease, which in turn directs the appropriate course of treatment.
Cancer Staging and Grading
Staging and grading describe both the severity and likely course of the disease, which in turn directs the appropriate course of treatment.
Staging
Cancer staging is a method of categorizing the extent of cancer’s spread in the body. The majority of solid tumors are staged as follows:
Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) only has two stages: limited and extensive.
Grading
The grades include:
The treatment of carcinoma depends on the location and size of the tumor, the stage and grade of the disease, and theperformance statusof the individual. The general treatment approaches include:
Treatments can have different goals. For example, curative treatments are intended to promote recovery and potentially lead toremission, while palliative treatments are intended to reduce suffering and improve quality of life.
Cancer Remission Types and Recurrence
Carcinoma is curable if detected early. Treatments like surgery or radiation therapy can remove or destroy a cancerous tumor before it spreads to other areas of the body. For example, basal cell carcinoma can be easily removed surgically, which constitutes a cure.
Summary
Carcinoma is a type of cancer that forms solid tumors in breasts, skin, internal organs, and glands. Commonly diagnosed types of carcinoma are adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive ductal carcinoma.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Cancer classification.National Cancer Institute.Tumor list.Infante M, Berghmans T, Heuvelmans MA, Hillerdal G, Oudkerk M.Slow-growing lung cancer as an emerging entity: from screening to clinical management.Eur Respir J. 2013;42(6):1706-22. doi:10.1183/09031936.00186212American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer in men?.National Cancer Institute.The genetics of cancer.National Cancer Institute.Risk factors for cancer.Kaiser Permanente.Basal and squamous cell skin cancers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer risk factors.National Cancer Institute.Age and cancer risk.National Cancer Institute.Rare cancers of childhood treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.Fiala C, Diamandis EP.Mutations in normal tissues-some diagnostic and clinical implications.BMC Med. 2020;18(1):283. doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01763-yNational Cancer Institute.Pathological examinations.University of Rochester Medical Center.Grading and staging of cancer.Basumallik N, Agarwal M.Small cell lung cancer. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.National Cancer Institute.Tumor grade.Bengtsson A, Andersson R, Ansari D.The actual 5-year survivors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on real-world data.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):1-9. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73525-yMullangi S, Lekkala MR.Adenocarcinoma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Cancer classification.National Cancer Institute.Tumor list.Infante M, Berghmans T, Heuvelmans MA, Hillerdal G, Oudkerk M.Slow-growing lung cancer as an emerging entity: from screening to clinical management.Eur Respir J. 2013;42(6):1706-22. doi:10.1183/09031936.00186212American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer in men?.National Cancer Institute.The genetics of cancer.National Cancer Institute.Risk factors for cancer.Kaiser Permanente.Basal and squamous cell skin cancers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer risk factors.National Cancer Institute.Age and cancer risk.National Cancer Institute.Rare cancers of childhood treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.Fiala C, Diamandis EP.Mutations in normal tissues-some diagnostic and clinical implications.BMC Med. 2020;18(1):283. doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01763-yNational Cancer Institute.Pathological examinations.University of Rochester Medical Center.Grading and staging of cancer.Basumallik N, Agarwal M.Small cell lung cancer. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.National Cancer Institute.Tumor grade.Bengtsson A, Andersson R, Ansari D.The actual 5-year survivors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on real-world data.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):1-9. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73525-yMullangi S, Lekkala MR.Adenocarcinoma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer classification.National Cancer Institute.Tumor list.Infante M, Berghmans T, Heuvelmans MA, Hillerdal G, Oudkerk M.Slow-growing lung cancer as an emerging entity: from screening to clinical management.Eur Respir J. 2013;42(6):1706-22. doi:10.1183/09031936.00186212American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer in men?.National Cancer Institute.The genetics of cancer.National Cancer Institute.Risk factors for cancer.Kaiser Permanente.Basal and squamous cell skin cancers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer risk factors.National Cancer Institute.Age and cancer risk.National Cancer Institute.Rare cancers of childhood treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.Fiala C, Diamandis EP.Mutations in normal tissues-some diagnostic and clinical implications.BMC Med. 2020;18(1):283. doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01763-yNational Cancer Institute.Pathological examinations.University of Rochester Medical Center.Grading and staging of cancer.Basumallik N, Agarwal M.Small cell lung cancer. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.National Cancer Institute.Tumor grade.Bengtsson A, Andersson R, Ansari D.The actual 5-year survivors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on real-world data.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):1-9. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73525-yMullangi S, Lekkala MR.Adenocarcinoma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer classification.
National Cancer Institute.Tumor list.
Infante M, Berghmans T, Heuvelmans MA, Hillerdal G, Oudkerk M.Slow-growing lung cancer as an emerging entity: from screening to clinical management.Eur Respir J. 2013;42(6):1706-22. doi:10.1183/09031936.00186212
American Cancer Society.What is breast cancer in men?.
National Cancer Institute.The genetics of cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Risk factors for cancer.
Kaiser Permanente.Basal and squamous cell skin cancers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Breast cancer risk factors.
National Cancer Institute.Age and cancer risk.
National Cancer Institute.Rare cancers of childhood treatment (PDQ)–health professional version.
Fiala C, Diamandis EP.Mutations in normal tissues-some diagnostic and clinical implications.BMC Med. 2020;18(1):283. doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01763-y
National Cancer Institute.Pathological examinations.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Grading and staging of cancer.
Basumallik N, Agarwal M.Small cell lung cancer. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
National Cancer Institute.Tumor grade.
Bengtsson A, Andersson R, Ansari D.The actual 5-year survivors of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on real-world data.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):1-9. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73525-y
Mullangi S, Lekkala MR.Adenocarcinoma. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
