What is Adenocarcinoma of the Skin?
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originate from the uncontrolled division or multiplication of cells that make the lining of different gland tissues of the body present in internal organs such as digestive system (mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines), reproductive system (ovaries and testes), and respiratory system (nose, throat, wind pipe, lungs) and secrete mucus, digestive juices and other secretions in the body. Adenocarcinoma can develop anywhere in the body particularly breast, ovaries, prostate gland, lungs, esophagus, large intestine, rectum and stomach.Sometime an adenocarcinoma which is originated from any internal part of the body can metastasize (spread of the tumor from its site to the ther distant parts of the body) to the skin called cutaneous adenocarcinoma or adenoacrinoma of the skin. The most common sites for metastasis of adenocarcinoma to the skin are skin of the chest, abdomen, arms and legs, neck, back, scalp, hips, and face.Disease Causes
There is no well-known cause, however certain hereditary and genetic mutations are considered responsible for the development of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the skin. Other risk factors are past exposure to radiation therapy, exposure to environmental toxins and cigarette smoking.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- Flesh-colored lesions (raised area of skin) on the skin
- Multiple, solid, painless nodules near the area of internal tumor
Diagnosis
- Narrow margin excisional biopsy
- Histopathology