What is the difference between adenocarcinoma and sarcoma

Sarcomas may occur at any age, but are often diagnosed in children and young adults. During in utero development of the embryo embryogenesis , differentiation the process of different tissues being formed begins with the formation of three germ layers. These include the:. Sarcomas begin in cells known as mesenchymal cells, often derived from the mesoderm, whereas carcinomas begin in epithelial cells; cells derived from the ectoderm and endoderm and that line the inside and outside surfaces of the body.

That said, there are some exceptions. For example, the epithelial cells on the inner surface of the uterus endometrium , bladder, and vagina are derived from the mesoderm. Carcinomas arise in tissues that line the body cavities or the skin, for example, the airways of the lung and the milk ducts of the breast.

Sarcomas arise in tissues referred to as connective tissue , including bone, cartilage, fat, nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and more. Sarcomas are often separated into two main categories; bone sarcomas that include tumors of bone, cartilage, and bone marrow, and soft tissue sarcomas.

Carcinomas are named according to the tissue in which they arise as well as the type of cells. Different subtypes may occur in different regions of the same organ, for example, non-small cell lung cancers may be squamous cell carcinomas of the lung or lung adenocarcinomas.

Similarly, esophageal cancers may arise in squamous cells squamous cell carcinomas or glandular cells adenocarcinomas. Common carcinomas include lung adenocarcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, bladder cancer most often a transitional cell carcinoma , and basal cell carcinomas of the skin.

Unlike carcinomas, there are over 50 different subtypes of sarcomas. Examples of sarcoma based on tissue type include:. The most common sarcomas in childhood are rhabdomyosarcomas. In adults, the most common sarcomas are soft tissue sarcomas, including undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, liposarcomas, and leiomyosarcomas. The region of the body does not always distinguish sarcomas and carcinomas. Some tumors may have characteristics of both carcinomas and sarcomas and may be referred to as carcinosarcomas or sarcomatoid carcinomas.

Most of the time but not always , the description of a tumor differentiates benign connective tissue tumors from malignant sarcomas. For example, a lipoma is a benign tumor of fat adipose tissue , and a liposarcoma is a cancerous tumor of the tissue. A hemangioma is a benign tumor of blood vessels, whereas a hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor.

There are exceptions in this classification as well. For example, a chordoma tumor of the nuchal cord is malignant. A glioma is a cancer not benign tumor of glial cells in the brain. Sometimes, the word malignant is used to distinguish benign and malignant tumors.

For example, a meningioma refers to a benign tumor of the meninges membranes lining the brain , whereas a cancerous tumor is referred to as malignant meningioma. Carcinomas may declare themselves with a number of symptoms often related to the organ in which they arise. For example, lung cancer may present with a cough or shortness of breath, breast cancer may present with a breast lump, and pancreatic cancer may present with jaundice, though not usually until the disease is very advanced. Sarcomas can likewise present with different symptoms.

Sarcomas that arise in the arms and legs often present as a mass that can be painful or painless. When pain is present, it is often worst at night. Sarcomas in bone osteosarcomas may present with bone pain or swelling over or near bones. In some cases, the condition is only diagnosed after a fracture occurs pathologic fracture through an area of bone that has been weakened by the tumor. With Ewing sarcoma , the swelling or lump often feels warm and may be associated with a fever.

Sarcomas of the digestive tract GI stromal tumors may have symptoms similar to colon carcinoma such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, or weight loss. The major risk factors for carcinomas are fairly well known, and include lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and sedentary behavior , radiation including ultraviolet radiation , genetics, age, viral infections, and environmental exposures among others. In most cases with sarcomas, identifiable risk factors aren't present, and these tumors have not been found to be associated with smoking, obesity, diet, or lack of exercise.

Risk factors for sarcomas may include:. Some sarcomas are associated with certain developmental time periods. For example, osteosarcomas are most common during bone growth between the ages of 10 and With some sarcomas, risk factors have been identified and studied to a greater extent.

For example, angiosarcoma of the breast has been associated with chronic lymphedema , radiation therapy for breast cancer, and a particular type of breast implants that have now been withdrawn from the market. Mesothelioma is strongly associated with asbestos exposure.

Rhabdomyosarcomas in children have also been associated with parental use of cocaine and marijuana. Few risk factors have been identified at this time for Ewing sarcoma, though these cancers appear to be more common among children who have had hernias.

The diagnostic process for sarcomas can be similar to carcinomas, and often begins with scans such as a CT scan, MRI, bone scan, or PET scan , or in the case of digestive tract sarcomas, endoscopy. Similarly, a biopsy is needed to determine the type of cancer as well as the tumor grade the aggressiveness of the cancer. Special stains may likewise be helpful. But they are the most common type of cancer in children. Go to our information about the different types of leukaemia. Other types of cancer are lymphomas and myeloma, They are cancers of the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system is a system of tubes and glands in the body that filters body fluid and fights infection. You can read more about the lymphatic system and how cancer may affect it. Lymphoma is cancer that starts in the lymph glands or cells of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system runs all through the body so lymphoma can start just about anywhere. It happens because some of the lymphatic system white blood cells lymphocytes start to divide in an abnormal way. And don't die as they should.

These cells start to divide before they become fully grown mature so they can't fight infection. The abnormal lymphocytes start to collect in the lymph nodes or other places such as the bone marrow or spleen.

They can then grow into tumours. You can find out about lymphomas. Myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow. They produce antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, to help fight infection. Plasma cells can become abnormal and multiply out of control. They make a type of antibody that doesn't work properly to fight infection. Cancer can start in the cells of the brain or spinal cord. The brain controls the body by sending electrical messages along nerve fibres.

The fibres run out of the brain and join together to make the spinal cord, which also takes messages from the body to the brain. The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurones. But all it takes is one to stop you in your tracks. Blisters, corns, and bunions are uncomfortable for anyone, but if you have diabetes, they put you at risk for serious complications. Find out how therapeutic shoes take the worry out of foot care and put your feet and your mind at ease.

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