mucinous adenocarcinoma
Pronunciation: myoo-SIN-us
Subtype of adenocarcinoma characterized by abundant extracellular mucin production.
Full Definition
Mucinous adenocarcinoma is a histological subtype of adenocarcinoma defined by the presence of abundant extracellular mucin comprising more than 50% of the tumor volume. These tumors can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract but are most common in the colon and appendix. The mucin pools contain malignant epithelial cells, often arranged in clusters or signet ring configurations. Mucinous adenocarcinomas may have different biological behavior compared to conventional adenocarcinomas, including different responses to chemotherapy and varying metastatic patterns. When mucinous tumors rupture or spread, they can cause pseudomyxoma peritonei.
Usage
Usage note: Specify percentage of mucinous component when reporting.
In Context
- "Histology revealed mucinous adenocarcinoma with 70% extracellular mucin." — Pathology report
- "Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix carried risk of peritoneal dissemination." — Surgical consultation