Glandular carcinoma is a type of cancer that occurs in glandular tissue throughout the body. Symptoms and treatment options vary depending on the location and size of the growth, and early detection is important. Biopsies and medical imaging are used to diagnose and stage the cancer, and treatment may include excision, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Metastases can complicate treatment and worsen prognosis.
Glandular carcinoma, also known as adenocarcinoma, is a malignant growth that occurs in glandular tissue. Such tissue can be found throughout the body, from the salivary glands in the eyes to tissue within the body’s glands such as the adrenal gland. Patients with glandular carcinoma can experience a variety of symptoms depending on the location and size of the growth. Treatments are available and are usually overseen by an oncologist, sometimes in consultation with an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases involving hormones, if the cancer interferes with hormone production in the body.
This type of cancer is a form of epithelial cancer, which develops in the cells used to line or cover physical structures. It occurs when cell division in glandular tissue goes wrong and a rogue cell begins to reproduce out of control. This can occur in response to environmental exposures or randomly. Typically, the growth will be nodular and slightly rubbery and can be felt if it is in an easily accessible area of the body.
In the early stages, glandular carcinoma may not cause any specific symptoms other than pain and irritation around the site. In some cases, it triggers the overproduction of materials produced by the gland, such as saliva, mucus or hormones. This can lead to secondary symptoms such as inflammation caused by excess mucus or weight gain associated with hormonal imbalances. A medical imaging study can be used to identify growths within the body, while a physical exam can reveal glandular carcinoma in a location such as the mouth or lining of the eyelid.
A biopsy is usually recommended to take a sample of the cells and determine the origins of the cancer. This can also be used for staging, to see how far the growth has spread. Excision, in which the growth is removed completely, is an important first step in treatment, designed to limit further development of the cancer. Additionally, people may also be advised to consider chemotherapy and/or radiation to treat cancer. The best treatment option depends on the specifics of the case.
As with other malignancies, there is a concern with glandular carcinoma that the cancer is spreading to other regions of the body. Biopsies of nearby lymph nodes may be conducted to see if cancerous cells are present, and X-rays may also be used to look for signs of metastases. If the growth has spread, this will significantly complicate treatment and the prognosis for the patient may be more serious.
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