Oncologists achieve good results in the process of treating carcinomas, but it is worth taking care of your body by detecting the disease in a timely manner or preventing its occurrence.
The concept of "carcinoma"
Carcinoma is a malignant tumor that affects the internal organs and epithelial cells of the human skin. In any tissue structure where they are contained, this tumor can develop. The place of its appearance is mainly determined by the nature of the cells of which it is composed.
Different types of carcinoma can develop in human organs. For example, it may be a squamous cell tumor or adenocarcinoma, which usually occurs in the cervix. They are most commonly found in the breast in women, the prostate and lungs in men, and the colon and skin, regardless of gender.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor that has a slow and limited growth. It appears on the skin in the form of a separate nodule, which has a smooth surface of red or pink color. For diseasecharacteristic is the presence of a translucent pearl belt.
A tumor of this type may contain a different amount of melanin pigment, which affects its shade. The central part of the nodule, as it grows, becomes covered with crusts and ulcerates. Basal cell carcinoma may appear as satellite nodules or ulceration with a crusty center.
A sign of this disease is also concomitant telangiectasia. In this case, the underlying tissues in the presence of a tumor are invaded and ulcerated. Invasive carcinoma has the following types:
- knotty;
- superficial;
- sclerosing;
- pigmented.
Metastasis is extremely rare in this disease.
Squamous cell tumor
Squamous cell carcinoma is a tumor that consists of cells of stratified squamous epithelium. Basically there is keratinization. Its cells are interconnected by desmosomes. Central squamous cell carcinoma may contain concentric aggregates.
This type of tumor is characterized by rapid growth and metastasis. It is the second most common and mainly develops in middle-aged and elderly people. Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs due to frequent exposure to the sun. It can also develop under the influence of other carcinogenic environmental factors.
This type of cancer occurs three times in menmore often than in women. Mostly areas of the skin that are most exposed to sunlight are affected. A squamous cell tumor at the initial stage of development spreads locally, but can subsequently move to distant sites. It can be treated with radiation therapy or surgical excision of the affected area.
Causes of carcinoma development
To date, the causes of this disease are not known. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the factors that trigger carcinogenic mechanisms, which may be as follows:
- there is a hormonal imbalance in the human body;
- hereditary predisposition;
- a certain virus has been infected;
- industrial carcinogens.
The histological difference between normal and carcinoma-affected epithelial cells is the presence of a large nucleus. The structure of the tumor can be different and depends on the structural features of the epithelial tissue from which it originated.
Squamous cell carcinoma develops if the malignant process has affected tissues in contact with the external environment. If the cancer process has captured the epithelium of glandular tissues (carcinoma of the thyroid gland, prostate, bronchi), the disease will refer to adenocarcinomas.
Carcinoma diagnosis
Symptoms of the disease depend on the histological structure of the tumor, its location and the degree of metastasis. At an early stage, she practically does not manifest herself, like othersmalignant diseases. Diagnosis mainly depends on the localization of carcinomas. Cancer clinics may use the following methods:
- positron emission tomography (PET);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
- computed tomography (CT);
- radioisotope scanning;
- radiography;
- targeted biopsy with cytological and histological analysis;
- determination of tumor markers;
- endoscopic examination.
Carcinoma treatment
The method of treatment of the disease is determined individually depending on its stage and localization. Surgical intervention is acceptable if the tumor is small and has not metastasized.
If the carcinoma consists of a large number of poorly differentiated cells that have an increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation, radiation therapy is used. It can also be used to eliminate metastases.
Chemotherapy is typical for the treatment of patients who have an advanced stage of the cancer process. In this case, the operation is impossible.
Israeli oncologists achieve good results with combined treatment of carcinomas: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Papillary cancer
Papillary carcinoma is a malignant tumor that affects the thyroid gland. It is found in 80% of organ cancers. In most cases, papillary carcinoma responds well totreatment.
The fine needle aspiration biopsy helps to make the most accurate diagnosis in this case. The size of the tumor can be up to several centimeters. Emerging formations are not encapsulated. Histological studies have shown that papillary carcinoma has the appearance of branching stems, which are covered with a cubic or cylindrical epithelium and have a connective tissue base.
Calcium deposits or scarring can be found in the center of this type of cancer. Bodies from basophilic and calcified masses are often found. Cells are hormonally inactive and unable to capture radioactive iodine.
Carcinoma of the thyroid gland slowly develops through the lymphatic vessels. Metastasis occurs to the lymph nodes. The distant appearance of metastases is rare, which is possible in the presence of mixed papillary-follicular cancer and is produced precisely from the follicular elements of the tumor.
In most cases, complete removal of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes is performed if they are affected by metastases. After the operation, radioactive iodine therapy is carried out in order to eliminate the smallest tumor foci. After removal of the thyroid gland, the patient must take special hormonal preparations, without which his body will not function normally. An annual ultrasound examination is necessary to prevent the recurrence of carcinoma.
Cervical canceruterus
This disease can be diagnosed as cervical carcinoma and is one of the most common tumors that are relevant to the female genital area. It most often occurs between the ages of 35 and 50. Regardless of age, this category includes girls who change their sexual partners quite often.
Carcinoma of the uterus can appear in the presence of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as long-term use of hormonal contraceptives. The early onset of sexual relations has an adverse effect, which causes changes in unformed cells. In some women, changes in the structure of cells can cause the protein components of sperm. A malignant tumor will develop in the presence of such a bad habit as smoking.
