MEDULLARY CARCINOMAS Meaning and
Definition
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Medullary carcinomas are a type of cancer that occurs in the body's glands and organs, characterized by the rapid growth and uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in these tissues. The term "medullary" refers to the medulla, which is the innermost part or core region of an organ. Thus, medullary carcinomas specifically refer to the malignancies that develop in the medulla of certain organs like the thyroid, breast, or kidneys.
Medullary carcinomas are often considered distinct from other types of cancer due to their unique characteristics. They typically have a solid appearance, with a well-defined boundary and a lack of capsule or encapsulation. This can make these carcinomas easier to differentiate from other types of tumors during diagnostic procedures.
Furthermore, medullary carcinomas are known to have specific microscopic features, such as the presence of sheets, cords, or nests of tumor cells that are tightly packed together. Additionally, they often exhibit a distinct growth pattern known as "pushing borders," where the tumor cells push against the surrounding normal tissues instead of invading them.
Clinically, medullary carcinomas can present various symptoms depending on the affected organ. These may include changes in the size or shape of the organ, pain, impaired organ function, or in some cases, no symptoms at all.
The treatment approach for medullary carcinomas may vary depending on the location and stage of the cancer. It commonly involves a combination of surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells, and chemotherapy or targeted therapies to destroy or slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Common Misspellings for MEDULLARY CARCINOMAS
- nedullary carcinomas
- kedullary carcinomas
- jedullary carcinomas
- mwdullary carcinomas
- msdullary carcinomas
- mddullary carcinomas
- mrdullary carcinomas
- m4dullary carcinomas
- m3dullary carcinomas
- mesullary carcinomas
- mexullary carcinomas
- mecullary carcinomas
- mefullary carcinomas
- merullary carcinomas
- meeullary carcinomas
- medyllary carcinomas
- medhllary carcinomas
- medjllary carcinomas
- medillary carcinomas
- med8llary carcinomas
Etymology of MEDULLARY CARCINOMAS
The term "medullary carcinomas" derives its etymology from two sources: "medullary" and "carcinoma".
The word "medullary" comes from the Latin word "medulla", which means "marrow" or "core". In medical terminology, "medullary" refers to the resemblance of a structure to the inner core or marrow of an organ.
The word "carcinoma" originates from the Greek word "karkinos", meaning "crab". In ancient Greece, physicians thought that cancerous tumors resembled the shape of a crab. Over time, "carcinoma" became a general term for malignant tumors that arise from epithelial tissues.
When combined, "medullary carcinoma" refers to a type of cancerous tumor that exhibits features resembling the medulla or core of an organ, particularly in its cellular structure.
