What to Say When Someone Has Cancer Diagnosis

November 23, 2021

What Is Adenocarcinoma Cancer?

If you have been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma cancer, you have a cancer that developed in one of the glands that lines the inside of your organs. Adenocarcinoma cancers being usually in one of the following organs: prostate, breast, colon, lung or pancreas.

Symptoms

Since adenocarcinoma is a cancer that can develop in a number of different places in the body, there is no definitive list of symptoms that doctors can rely on to point towards this cancer being the cause. Early on, you mightn't have any symptoms at all. Depending on the location of the cancer, you might symptoms related to that particular organ. For example, adenocarcinoma of the breast might cause a lump or unusual growth. Lung adenocarcinoma may cause hoarseness, coughing, weakness, weight loss and exhaustion. Adenocarcinoma in the prostate could cause bladder control issues, frequent urges to urinate at night, bloody semen and ejaculate that is painful. The best advice is to pay attention to your body. If something doesn't seem right, call your doctor.

Diagnosing Adenocarcinoma Cancer

Your doctor will first review your medical history and perform a physical exam. From there, the doctor will have to decide which tests to run to see if adenocarcinoma is a possible diagnosis. Again, depending on the organs involved, the tests that your doctor may order will vary. If adenocarcinoma of the colon is suspected, you will likely undergo a colonoscopy so that the doctor can get a good look inside of your colon. Blood tests can help doctors get a better picture of what's going on with you. Certain chemicals in the blood may also be associated with specific cancers. Imaging tests can help see if any of the tissues in your organs look abnormal. A biopsy of tissues is the gold standard to determine where the cancer formed and if it has spread. This aids in assigning a stage to the cancer.

Stages of Adenocarcinoma

Cancer stages range from one to four. Stages one through three represent the spread of the cancer. Stage one cancer is localized to the area of diagnosis. Stages two and three indicates larger tumors that are beginning to spread and affect other areas. Stage four cancer has metastasized or spread to other organs in the body.

Treatment Options

Treating adenocarcinoma depends on where the cancer originated and how far advanced the disease has become. Treatment options include surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. You may qualify for a clinical trial, if your doctor deems it to be a good option, as new treatments for cancer are always being developed.

Prognosis

Your outlook depends on where your cancer originated, the cancer's stage and your overall health. Have a support system surrounding you who can ask as a sounding board and don't be afraid to ask them for help as you undergo treatment. The American Cancer Society can be a great resource to point you towards support groups where you can commiserate with people who have the same cancer as you do and can share their experiences with you.

Berrick Takiney