Adenocarcinoma

Definition:

Let's break it down. "Adeno-" is a prefix that means "gland." In general, glands secrete things and are classified as endocrine or exocrine. Endocrine glands secrete things into the bloodstream, like hormones. Exocrine glands secrete things that go outside of the body, like mucus and sweat.

The word "carcinoma" means a malignant tumor that starts in epithelial tissue.

Put the two words together and you get "adenocarcinoma," which means a malignant tumor in epithelial tissue, specifically in a gland. Adenocarcinomas account for about 90-95% of all colorectal cancers. For more detailed information, please read Adenocarcinoma of the Colon and Rectum

Sources:

1. Buetow, Peter and Buck, James. "Colorectal Adenocarcinoma." RadioGraphics 15.1 (Jan. 1995). Archives of the AFIP. 5 Jul. 2006 [http://www.rsna.org/REG/publications/rg/afip/privateM/1995/0015/0001/0127/1.htm].
   
2. Colon Cancer. The Health Resource, Inc. 5 Jul. 2006 [http://www.thehealthresource.com/cancer_info/colon_cancer.cfm].
   
3. Okuyama, Takashi and Oya, Masatoshi. "Budding (Sprouting) as a Useful Prognostic Marker in Colorectal Mucinous Carcinoma." Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology 32.10 (2002): 412-416. Oxford Journals. 5 Jul. 2006 [http://jjco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/32/10/412].
   
4. Q&A's: I Have Been Told I Have a Type of Cancer Called Adenocarcinoma. What is This? CancerBacup. 26 Jul. 2005. 5 Jul. 2006 [http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/QAs/509].

Pronunciation: ADD-no-CAR-sin-OH-muh