Nasal adenocarcinoma
From Felipedia
Definition
Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that originates in glandular tissue. This tissue is also part of a larger tissue category known as epithelial tissue. Epithelial tissue includes skin, glands and a variety of other tissue that lines the cavities and organs of the body. Epithelium is derived embryologically from ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. To be classified as adenocarcinoma, the cells do not necessarily need to be part of a gland, as long as they have secretory properties. This form of carcinoma can occur in cats.
Well-differentiated adenocarcinomas tend to resemble the glandular tissue that they are derived from, while poorly differentiated may not. By staining the cells from a biopsy, a pathologist will determine whether the tumour is an adenocarcinoma or some other type of cancer. Adenocarcinomas can arise in many tissues of the body due to the ubiquitous nature of glands within the body. While each gland may not be secreting the same substance, as long as there is an exocrine function to the cell, it is considered glandular and its malignant form is therefore named adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas affect nearly all parts of the body.
Endocrine gland tumors, such as an insulinoma, a pheochromocytoma, etc, are typically not referred to as adenocarcinomas, but rather, are often called neuroendocrine tumors. If the glandular tissue is abnormal, but benign, it is said to be an adenoma. Benign adenomas typically do not invade other tissue and rarely metastasize. Malignant adenocarcinomas invade other tissues and often metastasize given enough time to do so.
Causes
Nasal adenocarcinomas, not to be confused with squamous cell carcinomas of the external part of the nose, reside within the turbinates of the nose and are caused by UV-radiation (rarely), secondary to fungal infections (e.g. cryptococcus) or cigarette smoke (in households where smoking is permitted).
Treatment
Treatment is either palliative (anti-inflammatories) or radical surgical excision of the nose and affected tissue
