Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma is a common form of lung cancer that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic tests include sputum and tissue samples, imaging tests, and biopsies. The cause of the cell mutation is unclear, but smoking is a major risk factor. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and coughing up discolored or bloodstained sputum. Treatment depends on the stage of cancer and can range from surgery to supportive care.
Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma is a form of lung cancer that originates in the surface cells of the lung. Classified as non-small cell cancer, bronchogenic adenocarcinoma is among the most frequently diagnosed forms of lung cancer. The aggressiveness of adenocarcinoma requires prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment for a good prognosis. Treatment can range from surgery to the administration of anticancer therapies and supportive care.
Laboratory and diagnostic tests are usually used to confirm a diagnosis of bronchogenic adenocarcinoma. Samples of the individual’s sputum and lung tissue can be obtained to check for abnormalities that indicate cancer. Imaging tests, including a chest X-ray, are usually done to evaluate the condition of the lungs. A biopsy of the tissue or abnormal growth is usually done for analysis to discount or confirm the growth as cancerous. If the tumor is confirmed as malignant, further tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be done to determine the staging or severity of the growth.
Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma originates from a mutation in the genetic makeup of the glandular cells of the lung air sacs. The modified cells reproduce irregularly, without dying, contributing to the formation of a small tumor on the peripheral tissue of the bronchus or on one of its branches, called bronchiole. As cell production goes unchecked, the tumor continues to grow and eventually becomes invasive to surrounding tissue.
It is unclear what initiates the cell mutation associated with lung cancer. Over the years, cigarette smoking and regular exposure to secondhand smoke have become inextricably linked to lung cancer. Lungs are resilient and can heal independently following exposure to pollutants, but regular exposure can inflict irreversible damage, including initiating abnormal cellular activity associated with bronchogenic adenocarcinoma.
Lung cancer presents with patterned signs and symptoms. Individuals develop a persistent cough and experience episodic shortness of breath. As the cough gets worse, wheezing and hoarseness may begin. It is not uncommon for a symptomatic individual to also cough up discolored or bloodstained sputum when they cough. If the symptoms of bronchogenic adenocarcinoma are ignored, the individual is at significant risk for complications, including pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, and death.
Treatment is usually individualized depending on the stage of the cancer and the individual’s overall health. If caught early, bronchogenic adenocarcinoma can be surgically resected with minimal lung resection or removal. Significantly invasive lung cancers may require removal of the entire lung. Subsequent cancer therapies, including chemo, are usually given to kill any remaining cancer cells and can cause side effects that include nausea, weight loss, and pronounced fatigue.
Individuals with advanced bronchogenic adenocarcinoma that respond poorly to traditional treatment can be offered supportive care to make them as comfortable as possible. Supportive care is not focused on getting rid of the cancer. Rather, the individual’s symptoms are treated with drug therapy, such as pain relievers, and are spared the harsh side effects associated with further cancer therapy.
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