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Professional Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test

adenocarcinoma

Pronunciation: ad-uh-noh-kar-suh-NOH-mah

A type of cancer that develops in glandular tissue or epithelial cells that have glandular properties.

Full Definition

Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelial cells or cells with secretory properties. It represents the most common form of lung cancer and frequently occurs in organs such as the breast, prostate, colon, and pancreas. In clinical documentation, adenocarcinoma is often further classified by grade, stage, and molecular markers to guide treatment decisions.

Usage

Usage note: Always specify the organ of origin when documenting adenocarcinoma diagnoses.

In Context

  • "The pathology report confirmed invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast with estrogen receptor positivity." — Pathology report
  • "Non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 40% of all lung cancer cases." — Clinical research paper

Also known as

glandular carcinoma

Contrasted with

squamous cell carcinoma sarcoma

Don't confuse with

adenoma adenosarcoma

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