MEDULLARY CARCINOMA Meaning and
Definition
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Medullary carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the medulla, which is the innermost part of an organ or tissue. This term is commonly used in reference to medullary carcinoma of the breast or thyroid gland, although it can occur in other organs as well.
In the case of breast cancer, medullary carcinoma is a rare and aggressive subtype that accounts for approximately 5-7% of all breast cancer cases. It is characterized by the presence of large, well-defined tumor masses with a soft, fleshy appearance. Microscopically, these tumors show characteristic growth patterns, with sheets of cells forming syncytial nests or clusters, surrounded by a dense lymphocytic infiltrate.
In the context of thyroid cancer, medullary carcinoma refers to a type of cancer that arises from parafollicular or C cells, which are responsible for producing calcitonin. This form of cancer is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome and can be categorized as either sporadic or hereditary. It is distinguishable from other types of thyroid cancers by the presence of sheets, trabeculae, or clusters of polygonal tumor cells with abundant cytoplasm and prominent nuclei.
The treatment for medullary carcinoma varies depending on the organ affected, the stage of cancer, and individual patient factors. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these modalities.
Common Misspellings for MEDULLARY CARCINOMA
- nedullary carcinoma
- kedullary carcinoma
- jedullary carcinoma
- mwdullary carcinoma
- msdullary carcinoma
- mddullary carcinoma
- mrdullary carcinoma
- m4dullary carcinoma
- m3dullary carcinoma
- mesullary carcinoma
- mexullary carcinoma
- mecullary carcinoma
- mefullary carcinoma
- merullary carcinoma
- meeullary carcinoma
- medyllary carcinoma
- medhllary carcinoma
- medjllary carcinoma
- medillary carcinoma
- med8llary carcinoma
Etymology of MEDULLARY CARCINOMA
The word "medullary" derives from the Latin term "medulla", which means "marrow". In medical terminology, it is often used to describe structures or tissues resembling or related to the spinal cord or bone marrow.
The word "carcinoma" comes from the Greek word "karkinos" meaning "crab" and the Latin suffix "-oma", which refers to a tumor or abnormal growth. Thus, "carcinoma" specifically refers to a malignant tumor that arises from epithelial (surface) cells.
In the context of "medullary carcinoma", the term is used to describe a specific type of cancer that develops in various organs, including the breast, thyroid, and gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by the presence of poorly differentiated cells that resemble medullary tissue and exhibit certain histological features.
