From the Guidelines
Bronchogenic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are not the same, though they are related, with bronchogenic carcinoma being a broad term that refers to any cancer originating in the lungs or bronchi, and adenocarcinoma being a specific subtype of bronchogenic carcinoma. According to the most recent evidence from 1, adenocarcinoma specifically develops from glandular cells that produce mucus in the lungs and accounts for approximately 40–50% of all lung cancers. Other subtypes of bronchogenic carcinoma include squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Each subtype has distinct cellular characteristics, growth patterns, and sometimes different treatment approaches.
The distinction between primary lung cancers and metastatic lung cancers is crucial, and adenocarcinomas tend to present in a peripheral location, show retraction or invasion of the visceral pleura, and are associated with tumor desmoplasia or scar, as noted in 1. Understanding the specific subtype is crucial for determining appropriate treatment strategies, as different types may respond differently to various therapies. The use of immunohistochemical markers, such as TTF-1, CK7, and CK20, can assist in the differential diagnosis of primary vs metastatic carcinoma, as discussed in 1.
Key characteristics of adenocarcinoma include:
- Develops from glandular cells that produce mucus in the lungs
- Accounts for approximately 40–50% of all lung cancers
- Tends to develop in the outer regions of the lungs
- Most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers, though it also occurs in smokers
- Has distinct cellular characteristics, growth patterns, and sometimes different treatment approaches compared to other subtypes of bronchogenic carcinoma.
In clinical practice, it is essential to accurately diagnose and subtype lung cancers to provide appropriate treatment and improve patient outcomes, as emphasized in 1.
From the Research
Definition and Classification
- Bronchogenic carcinoma refers to a type of cancer that originates in the lungs, specifically in the bronchi 2.
- It is classified into four major cell types: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma 2.
Adenocarcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma is a subtype of bronchogenic carcinoma, accounting for a significant proportion of lung cancer cases 2, 3, 4.
- It is generally considered a peripheral lesion, manifesting as solitary nodules or masses 2.
- Adenocarcinoma is more common in females 3 and has an intermediate prognosis compared to other subtypes 2.
Relationship between Bronchogenic Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma
- Bronchogenic carcinoma is a broader term that encompasses various subtypes, including adenocarcinoma 2.
- Adenocarcinoma is not the same as bronchogenic carcinoma, but rather a specific type of bronchogenic carcinoma 2, 3, 4.
- The prognosis and treatment of adenocarcinoma may differ from other subtypes of bronchogenic carcinoma 2, 5.