kartsinoomide

Kartsinoomid, or carcinomas in English, are cancers that arise from epithelial cells that line internal organs or cover external surfaces. They are the most common type of cancer in humans and can develop in many tissues, including skin, lungs, breast, colon, and prostate. Carcinomas are typically categorized by their histologic appearance into subtypes such as squamous cell carcinoma, which originates from flat squamous cells; and adenocarcinoma, which arises from glandular epithelium. Other forms include basal cell, transitional, and neuroendocrine carcinomas.

The development of carcinomas usually involves gradual genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to abnormal cell growth, invasion into surrounding tissues, and potential spread to distant sites (metastasis). Carcinomas can invade local structures and disseminate through lymphatic and blood pathways, with metastatic patterns often varying by tumor type and location.

Risk factors vary by site but commonly include tobacco use (a major factor for lung and several head and neck cancers), ultraviolet radiation (skin cancers), chronic infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) for cervical and oropharyngeal cancers, chronic inflammation, obesity, alcohol consumption, and occupational exposures to carcinogens.

Diagnosis typically relies on tissue biopsy with histopathologic examination, supported by imaging studies (such as CT, MRI, or PET) to determine extent and stage. Staging usually uses the TNM system, which considers tumor size, nodal involvement, and metastasis. Prognosis depends on cancer type, stage at diagnosis, histology, and molecular features, and ranges from highly curable with early detection to more aggressive with advanced disease.

Treatment is tailored to site and stage and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. Multidisciplinary care is common to optimize outcomes.