Metastatic adenocarcinomaoccurs when cancer that affects glandular tissues spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.
Glandular tissues are those that secrete a substance such as milk or mucus.
Most breast and colon cancers, and some lung cancers, areadenocarcinomas.
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Some of the time, these cancers are metastatic (stage 4) at the time of diagnosis.
At other times, they represent a progression or recurrence of a previous early-stage tumor.
So, although these tumors aren’t considered curable, they can be very treatable.
What Is Metastatic Adenocarcinoma?
Cancers that have spread at a distance to other organs are considered stage 4 tumors.
In common parlance, metastatic cancer refers to distal metastases, i.e., stage 4 cancer.
This is calledlate recurrence.It’s not known exactly why this occurs.
Types of Metastatic Adenocarcinoma
Physicians use the term “primary cancer” to describe the original tumor.
For example, a tumor that starts in lung tissue is considered a primary lung adenocarcinoma.
With some cancers, such as breast and colon cancers, the majority of the tumors are adenocarcinomas.
In contrast, only around 40% of lung cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Metastatic adenocarcinoma can be broken down by the organ or tissues where the cancer originated.
Another key in of metastases,leptomeningeal metastases, do not form a tumor.
Instead, cancer cells circulate throughout the brain in the cerebrospinal fluid.
They are most commonly associated with breast cancer and lung cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Metastatic Adenocarcinoma?
These symptoms may be thefirst sign of metastatic adenocarcinoma, especially with cancers such as lung adenocarcinoma.
It’s especially important to note any history of cancer in the past.
For instance, one study looked at people with breast cancer who developed a lung nodule.
In 64%, the new nodule was related to spread from the primary breast cancer.
But in 26% of the study participants, the nodule was an unrelated new primary lung cancer.
Aliquid biopsymay also be recommended for some people.
An example can be seen with breast cancer.
This is referred to as discordance and may affect how a cancer is treated after it has metastasized.
Also, stage cancers are typically harder to treat and require more aggressive treatments.
How Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Is Treated
The goal when treating metastatic adenocarcinomas differs from that of early-stage tumors.
With early-stage tumors, the goal is to cure the cancer, if possible.
More aggressive treatment doesn’t usually extend survival, but it can increase side effects.
There are exceptions to this general rule.
There are three primary approaches to cancer treatment, including local treatment, systemic treatments, and palliative therapy.
Local Treatment
Local treatment is designed to get rid of a tumor where it originated.
Local therapies may be used to control the symptoms of cancer.
Prognosis can vary dramatically between types of cancer.
Giving an accurate prognosis can be difficult for even the most experienced oncologists.
For this reason, getting a second opinion is often considered a standard of care.
Many people opt for a second opinion at one of the larger National Cancer Institutedesignated cancer centers.
The importance of having a support system around you during this time can’t be stressed enough.
The financial stress of cancer is also very real for many people.
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