Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor that produces mucus and can occur in various tissues. Symptoms are often minimal, and diagnosis is usually at an advanced stage. Treatment includes surgery and chemotherapy, and medical imaging is used to locate and check for spread.
A mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor originating in glandular tissue with an encapsulated structure and mucus-producing cells. These cancers can arise in many different types of tissue, including the breast, ovaries, and kidneys. They are often not diagnosed until they have reached an advanced stage because symptoms can be relatively minimal. Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy, supervised by an oncologist who may be assisted by other medical professionals, depending on the location of the tumor.
While the term “mucinous cystadenocarcinoma” may be a mouthful, when it’s broken down into its component parts, it’s easier to understand, and the same terminology used to talk about this type of cancer is also used in other medical contexts. “Mucinous” indicates the presence of mucus in or around the tumor. A “cyst” is a pocket of tissue, often filled with fluid. “Adeno” indicates that the growth is glandular in origin and “carcinoma” means that it is malignant, as seen in the term “adenocarcinoma” to describe a malignant tumor originating in the glands.
When a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is found in the abdomen, it can generate abdominal pain and tenderness along with ascites, deposits of water in the abdomen that cause swelling and discomfort. Patients may also experience abnormalities in endocrine function caused by the cancerous cells, such as spikes in the levels of certain hormones. Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas can cause infertility, impaired kidney function, and a variety of other symptoms.
Medical imaging studies can be used to locate mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and to check for signs of spread. Growth biopsy procedures can provide more information about the source and stage of the tumor. This information is important when developing a treatment plan, as it can impact the treatments offered to the patient.
Surgery for tumor resection is the first-line treatment. During surgery, the surgeon will attempt to remove the entire growth intact to reduce the risk of cancer cells leaving behind and to avoid rupture of the mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and loss of cancer cells in the process. A pathologist can examine the tumor to see if the surgeon removed the tumor with a margin of healthy cells, increasing the possibility that all cancerous cells have been removed. Chemotherapy is offered after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body, including cells that the surgeon may have been forced to leave if it was impossible to remove the entire tumor.
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