Lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small cell lung carcinoma, one of the two large groups into which lung cancer is classified.

Features

Frequency

It is the third histologic type in frequency (from 10 to 25% of the total). It is diagnosed in both smokers and non-smokers with fibrotic lesions (syllosis, tuberculosis, etc.). It is the least related to tobacco use but is even more frequent in smokers. It's more frequent in women.

Location

Peripheral (pulmonary nodules) in 75% of cases.

Histopathology

It consists of binucleated cells that have mucin in 80% of cases. The cells therefore produce mucus, form a single row of prismatic cells with papillary, tubular or acino proliferation and sometimes complete glands.

Origin

It originates from cells that form the bronchial glands. Bronchial adenocarcinoma is the tumor most frequently associated with pulmonary scarring, such as tuberculosis, although in most cases the scar is a demoplastic response to the tumor.

Dissemination

Hematic metastasis in bone, brain, and liver. They may go unnoticed for a long time, since although their growth rate is intermediate between the epidermoid and the anaplastic, being located peripherally, they do not compromise in their initial growth structures that affect lung function. Even at times they are diagnosed through their hematogenic metastases, which are usually of early appearance.