Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that affects glandular tissue and can occur in various organs. Symptoms vary depending on the affected area, but common symptoms include mucus production, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pains, diarrhea, constipation, bloody stools, weight loss, and anemia. The most common adenocarcinomas occur in the colon and lungs.
Cancer that arises in glandular tissue and affects skin cells is known as adenocarcinoma and can affect a variety of tissues in the body. Symptoms depend on which part of the body is affected by this type of cancer. Epithelial cells comprise the body’s skin and glands, so adenocarcinomas can form in many organs. However, the most common adenocarcinomas occur in the colon and lungs and cause symptoms associated with each of these cancer types.
Adenocarcinoma comprises 40% of all lung cancer cases and is the most common lung cancer to develop in non-smokers. One of the primary symptoms that separates this form of cancer from other carcinomas is the production of mucus, due to the fact that lung adenocarcinoma affects glands and ducts. This form of cancer tends to develop in the periphery of the lungs, so it can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pains early in the cancer staging. Only after the cancerous growths have spread to the center of the lungs does the patient experience symptoms such as coughing up blood or a persistent cough. Other adenocarcinoma symptoms shared with other types of lung cancer include hoarseness, wheezing, loss of appetite, weight loss, and depression; however, about 25% of lung cancer cases show no symptoms.
Most colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas that first appear on epithelial cells that comprise the outside of the colon and rectum. These adenocarcinoma symptoms include local and constitutional symptoms, affecting the gastrointestinal tract and the whole body, respectively. Local symptoms may include diarrhea, constipation, incomplete defecation, bloody stools, rectal bleeding, mucus in stools, and even complete intestinal obstruction in more advanced cases. Symptoms of constitutional adenocarcinoma include fever, deep vein thrombosis, weight loss, and anemia. Colorectal adenocarcinoma anemia is caused by iron deficiency due to persistent bleeding and can lead to heart palpitations, fatigue, and a sickly, pale appearance.
Other adenocarcinomas are less common, but also carry sets of symptoms unique to the tissue they affect. The minority of adenocarcinoma-based cervical cancers cause pain during intercourse, vaginal bleeding, and vaginal discharge in the early stages, with pelvic pain, weight loss, and swelling in the legs occurring as the cancer progresses. Pancreatic cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms, but when it does, it can include weight loss, diabetes mellitus, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Discharges and mucus are often found with these types of cancers, as they affect the glandular tissue first.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
