Difference Between Cancer and Carcinoma
Cancer and Carcinoma Explained | Types, Causes & Treatment
Cancer and carcinoma are terms often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. While both refer to abnormal cell growth in the body, carcinoma is a specific type of cancer. Understanding the distinction between these two can help individuals better comprehend diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. Let us explore how carcinoma differs from cancer and what each term truly means.
How Does a Carcinoma Differ From Cancer?
The table below provides a detailed comparison between cancer and carcinoma:
| Parameters | Cancer | Carcinoma |
| Types | Solid cancer and blood cancer are the most common types of cancer. While solid cancer includes carcinoma and sarcoma, common blood cancers are leukaemia and lymphoma. | Adenocarcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma, Invasive ductal carcinoma, and Ductal carcinoma in situ are some common types of carcinoma. |
| Symptoms | Generally, the symptoms of cancer include extreme fatigue, persistent pain, loss of appetite, night sweats, and blood in the pee or stool. | Some common symptoms include fatigue, persistent pain, changes in bladder and bowel habits, weight changes, lumps under the skin, unexplained bruising or bleeding and more. |
| Causes | Cancer can be caused by genetic mutations, tobacco use, radiation exposure, harmful chemicals, certain infections, obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, and environmental toxins that trigger abnormal cell growth. | Carcinoma often results from prolonged exposure to carcinogens like tobacco smoke, UV rays, environmental pollutants, chronic infections (e.g., HPV), hormonal imbalances, and genetic predispositions affecting epithelial cell function and replication. |
| Risk Factors | Genetics, smoking, alcohol, poor diet, radiation, infections, pollutants, and chronic inflammation contribute significantly. | Sun exposure, tobacco, chemical exposure, chronic infections, age, family history, and poor immune response matter. |
| Diagnosis | The procedure of diagnosing cancer includes a complete blood count test, imaging, genetic testing, and biopsies. | The diagnosis process of carcinoma includes blood tests, physical exam, imaging, and biopsy. |
| Treatment | The treatment procedure for cancer includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and other therapies based on the situation. | Some of the treatments to cure carcinoma are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery. |
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease characterised by uncontrolled cell growth and division. Normally, cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. When this process breaks down, cells begin to grow uncontrollably, forming masses called tumours.
Cancer is not a single disease but a group of more than 100 different diseases. These can vary significantly in terms of symptoms, aggressiveness, treatment, and prognosis.
What is carcinoma?
Carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the epithelial tissue of the human body. Since your skin and major internal organs are lined by epithelial tissue, carcinomas make up the majority of malignancies that affect the liver, skin, breasts, lungs, kidneys, and other crucial parts. Carcinomas are uncontrollable and abnormal cells that can spread to other parts of the body, similar to other forms of cancer.
What are the Different Stages of Cancer and Carcinoma?
Cancer and carcinoma are staged using the TNM system: T for tumour size, N for lymph node involvement, and M for metastasis. Stages range from 0 (localised abnormal cells) to IV (cancer spread to distant organs). Carcinomas follow the same staging. Early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates in both conditions.
Understanding the difference between cancer and carcinoma is crucial for making informed health decisions. While carcinoma is a type of cancer, cancer itself is a broader category with various subtypes. Recognising these distinctions can lead to better awareness, early diagnosis, and timely intervention, which are key to effective treatment and recovery.
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