Carcinoma

For new cells to grow, the old cells need to die, replaced by the new and healthy cells. When there is an abnormal growth of cells, it hampers the organ or any part of the body as the cells’ growth rate is more than required. Carcinoma means cancer which is the most common type of cancer, and just like cancer, it has abnormal growth and can be malignant, benign, or indolent. Malignant means the cancerous tumours can grow in size and spread to other parts of the body. 

In contrast, benign means the tumour can grow but will not spread to other parts of the body, and indolent means the tumour is cancerous that can grow but is less likely to spread to other parts of the body and instead remain in one organ. The origin of the tumour can be from anywhere, and cancers are categorised based on where it originates in the body; there are more than 200 types of cancer, and it can originate from anywhere like the bone, skin, spinal cord, brain, etc. The meaning of carcinoma specifically is that it originates from the deeper layers of the tissue that form the outer lining of an organ or any surface within our body. Like carcinoma examples of usual cancer, carcinoma has also been categorised based on the types of cell layers of the tissue from where carcinoma originates. 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma 

Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as squamous cell cancer, is a type of cancer that occurs on the outermost layer of tissue or lining of the surface of an organism called the squamous cell, which is a flat and thin cell found on the topmost layers of the surface of the skin or inner lining of the oesophagus. This type of cancer occurs mostly because of abnormal changes in the DNA. Normally it does not become life-threatening if treated on time and mostly occurs on the skin that remains exposed to the sun at peak hours of the day as the UV radiation of the sun is harmful to the cells and eventually causes abnormal changes in the DNA of the skin cells which are identified by the raised patch of the skin that raised and feels sore that looks like a bruised skin tag. If treated at the initial stages, its aggressiveness and malignancy can be prevented. 

Adenocarcinoma 

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that forms as solid forms that can occur almost anywhere in the body, mostly in the lining of those organs that produce digestive fluids or other types of fluids within the body such as the breast, pancreas, uterus, etc. that require fluids or moisture for proper functioning. The adenomas that form in the glandular cells are not cancerous, unlike the adenocarcinomas that spread and become malignant due to abnormal growth of the glandular cells caused by mutations in the DNA of the cells. Such cancer growth can also accelerate due to poor lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, and getting exposed to certain toxic chemicals present in the environment and the food we eat. However, it is not a way to guarantee the cause. Besides the lifestyle and external factors, hormonal and chemical changes within the body can also trigger adenocarcinomas such as breast cancer and ovary cancers that often happen because of genetic mutations. Adenocarcinomas can be detected by several methods like a biopsy, CT scan, MRI, etc. They can be treated successfully if detected during the initial stages of their development. 

Transitional Cell Carcinoma 

As the name suggests, transitional cells are present in the urinary tract and the connective tubes of the kidneys and the bladder that hold urine and enable the bladder to stretch flexibly without the cells breaking. There are two types of transitional cell carcinoma known as the low grade and the high grade. The low grade is less likely to spread to other parts of the body and often can be prevented permanently after successful treatment. On the other hand, high-grade transitional cell carcinoma is the malignant form of cancer that spreads to the other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, has high chances of recurring after treatment, and is life-threatening for being terminal. The most common way of diagnosing this disease is by ureteroscopy, ultrasound, MRI, etc. Treating it at the earliest stage possible is mandatory for increasing the chance of survival.

Basal Cell Carcinoma 

Basal cell carcinoma is the least life-threatening amongst the skin cancers and is easiest to treat, given that it is most likely to be caught at its early stages in the majority of the cases. It is less likely to spread to other parts of the body, but it is possible to spread to the area underneath the skin. It occurs on the skin’s surface due to long hours of sun exposure and is easy to be detected. One method of treating this carcinoma is cutting the tumour, using strong creams and pills, etc. Regular examination of the skin will prevent the tumour from spreading any further.

Conclusion

The meaning of carcinoma is defined as being a type of cancerous growth that starts from the cell in the innermost lining of an organ. We have learned that carcinoma is a type of cancer. Depending on the stage of its development and the different types depending on the origin of the carcinoma, the treatment varies; therefore, detecting it at the earliest possible is a good way to increase the chance of survival.