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What is Glandular Carcinoma?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Glandular carcinoma, also known as adenocarcinoma, is a malignant growth arising in glandular tissue. Such tissue can be found throughout the body, from salivary glands in the eyes to tissue inside glands in the body like the adrenal gland. Patients with glandular carcinoma can experience a variety of symptoms depending on the location and size of the growth. Treatments are available and are usually supervised by an oncologist, sometimes in consultation with an endocrinologist, a physician who specializes in diseases involving hormones, if the tumor interferes with hormone production in the body.

This type of cancer is a form of epithelial cancer, developing in cells used to line or cover physical structures. It occurs when cell division in glandular tissue goes wrong and a rogue cell starts to reproduce out of control. This can occur in response to environmental exposures or at random. Typically, the growth will be nodular and slightly rubbery, and can be palpated if it is in a readily accessible area of the body.

Glandular carcinoma is a malignant growth that can be found in the glands of the human body, such as the thyroid glad.
Glandular carcinoma is a malignant growth that can be found in the glands of the human body, such as the thyroid glad.

In the early stages, glandular carcinoma may not cause any specific symptoms other than soreness and irritation around the site. In some cases, it triggers overproduction of materials made by the gland, such as saliva, mucus, or hormones. This can lead to secondary symptoms like inflammation caused by excess mucus or weight gain associated with hormone imbalances. A medical imaging study can be used to identify growths inside the body, while a physical examination can reveal a glandular carcinoma in a location like the mouth or lining of the eyelid.

A physical examination can identify a glandular carcinoma in the mouth.
A physical examination can identify a glandular carcinoma in the mouth.

A biopsy is usually recommended to take a sample of the cells and determine the origins of the cancer. This can also be used for staging, to see how far the growth has spread. Excision, where the growth is removed entirely, is an important first step in treatment, designed to limit further development of the cancer. In addition, people may also be advised to consider chemotherapy and/or radiation to treat the cancer. The best treatment option depends on the specifics of the case.

If glandular carcinoma is allowed to spread to other parts of the body, the prognosis for the patient will be more serious.
If glandular carcinoma is allowed to spread to other parts of the body, the prognosis for the patient will be more serious.

As with other neoplasms, there is a concern with glandular carcinoma that the cancer will spread to other regions of the body. Biopsies of neighboring lymph nodes can be conducted to see if cancerous cells are present, and X-rays can also be used to look for signs of metastases. If the growth has spread, this will complicate treatment significantly and the prognosis for the patient may be more serious.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Glandular carcinoma is a malignant growth that can be found in the glands of the human body, such as the thyroid glad.
      By: Iurii Sokolov
      Glandular carcinoma is a malignant growth that can be found in the glands of the human body, such as the thyroid glad.
    • A physical examination can identify a glandular carcinoma in the mouth.
      By: corepics
      A physical examination can identify a glandular carcinoma in the mouth.
    • If glandular carcinoma is allowed to spread to other parts of the body, the prognosis for the patient will be more serious.
      By: Photographee.eu
      If glandular carcinoma is allowed to spread to other parts of the body, the prognosis for the patient will be more serious.
    • An oncologist will supervise the treatment a patient receives for glandular carcinoma.
      By: Photographee.eu
      An oncologist will supervise the treatment a patient receives for glandular carcinoma.
    • After removal, a pathologist looks at the sample under a microscope to determine the origins of the cancer.
      By: luchschen_shutter
      After removal, a pathologist looks at the sample under a microscope to determine the origins of the cancer.
    • Adenocarcinomas may be found on the adrenal glands, which are located adjacent to the kidneys.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Adenocarcinomas may be found on the adrenal glands, which are located adjacent to the kidneys.
    • Chemotherapy can be used to treat adenocarcinoma.
      By: nebari
      Chemotherapy can be used to treat adenocarcinoma.
    • Chemotherapy drugs are highly toxic, and may cause hair loss in some patients.
      By: prudkov
      Chemotherapy drugs are highly toxic, and may cause hair loss in some patients.
    • Medical imaging studies are used to identify internal growths that may be glandular carcinoma.
      By: Trish23
      Medical imaging studies are used to identify internal growths that may be glandular carcinoma.