Epithelial carcinoma is a pervasive type of cancer that affects the tissue lining organs. It is commonly associated with ovarian cancer, with serous epithelial ovarian cancer being the most common form. Other localized forms include clear cell adenocarcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Symptoms vary widely, but the disease is treatable if caught early.
Epithelial carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the epithelium, which is tissue that lines the body’s organs. It can also be referred to simply as carcinoma, as this particular medical term is used to describe a type of cancer involving skin cells. Through its various incarnations, it is one of the most pervasive cancers in existence. Also, it has a tendency to metastasize, which means the cancer can spread from one organ to another.
The epithelial carcinoma form of cancer is commonly associated with the ovaries. This type of ovarian cancer is divided into five types. The most common form is serous epithelial ovarian cancer, so named because it occurs in the serous membrane, which has a layer of epithelial cells. It accounts for about 60 percent of all ovarian cancers, which is why the term “ovarian cancer” has become synonymous with malignant tumors in the serous membrane.
Although not as common as serous membrane cancer, epithelial mucinous and endometrioid carcinomas combined form about 45% of all ovarian cancer cases. The former gets its name from its origin in the mucous membranes, which is covered by the epithelium, while the latter affects the inner membrane of the uterus. Much rarer forms of epithelial carcinoma that afflict the ovaries include clear cell adenocarcinoma, which gets its name from the colorless tumors that occur in glandular tissue; and Brenner tumors, also known as transitional cell epithelial ovarian cancer.
As evidenced by the different types of ovarian cancer, many cases of epithelial cancer specialize in certain areas of the body. For example, clear cell adenocarcinoma focuses on the female genital tract, which means it can occur not only in the ovaries, but also in the cervix, uterus, and vagina. Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a tumor of the parotid salivary duct, with the most common occurrence in older people. Other localized forms of epithelial carcinoma include acinar adenocarcinoma, which affects the prostate; basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer; and gastric adenocarcinoma, which is a clinical term for stomach cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma, however, is known to occur in a variety of organs and parts of the body. This includes the esophagus, labia, lungs, skin and vagina. The disease gets its name from a form of epithelial layer that has scales called the squamous epithelium.
Because of its many forms, symptoms of epithelial carcinoma vary widely and can include skin lesions, dark urine and diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and decreased appetite. The disease is treatable if caught early. Doctors usually rely on chemotherapy as their first treatment option. In more extreme cases, surgery may be required.
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