
Carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops on the skin or cells that cover internal organs, and it accounts for 80%-90% of all cancers:
- Carcinoma in situ: Cancer has not spread from the initial affected layer of tissue to surrounding tissues or other parts of the body.
- Invasive carcinoma: Cancer has spread to the surrounding tissues and is not confined to the initial affected area.
- Metastatic carcinoma: Cancer has spread throughout the body to other tissues and organs.
6 common types of carcinomas
1. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the deepest cell layer of the top layer of the skin. It is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States. Basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Causes
The primary cause of BCC is overexposure to ultraviolet radiation in the form of sunlight or tanning beds. Some factors that can increase the risk of getting BCC include:
- Treatment of psoriasis
- Weak immune system
- History of skin cancer
- Advanced age
- Male gender
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Radiation exposure
- Long-term skin inflammation or injury
- Fair skin
Symptoms
Symptoms of basal cell carcinoma include:
2. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It can also be found in the cell linings of the:
- Digestive tract
- Respiratory tract
- Certain organs
SCC commonly affects the areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, such as the:
- Face
- Back of the hands
- Lips
- Ears
- Neck
Overexposure to the sun is the most common cause of SCC. These carcinomas tend to grow and spread rapidly, unlike BCC.
Causes
Factors that can increase the risk of developing SCC include:
- Male gender
- Human papillomavirus infection
- Smoking
- Advanced age
- Radiation exposure
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight or tanning beds)
- History of skin cancer
- Weak immune system
- Psoriasis treatment
- Long-term skin inflammation or injury
- Fair skin
Symptoms
Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma include:
- Sores that do not heal
- Firm, red bump on sun-exposed skin that does not go away
- Skin growth that looks like warts
- Thickened skin on the lower lip that occurs due to smoking or chewing tobacco
- Patch of skin that feels scaly, bleeds, or develops a crust
- Spots that resemble age spots
3. Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma starts in the glands that line certain internal organs and releases substances such as digestive juices and mucus. Adenocarcinomas may occur in the:
- Breast
- Lung
- Colon
- Stomach
- Prostate
- Pancreas
- Esophagus
Causes
The most common causes of adenocarcinoma include:
- Smoking
- Toxin exposure
- Previous radiation therapy
Symptoms
Symptoms of adenocarcinoma vary depending on the area of the body affected.
- Prostate cancer:
- Breast cancer:
- Breast swelling
- Change in breast shape and size
- Red or flaky skin
- Bloody fluid leaking from the nipple
- Dimpled or uneven skin
- Colorectal cancer:
- Blood stools
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gas or bloating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pancreatic cancer:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling bloated
- Loss of appetite
- Back pain
- Floating stool
- Lung cancer:
- Chronic cough with mucus and blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
4. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
DCIS is the earliest type of breast cancer and forms in the inner lining of the breast ducts. As these cancers have not spread to the surrounding tissue, survival rates are higher.
Causes
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Early menstruation
- Dense breasts
- Not breastfeeding
- Not having children
- Lack of exercise
- Pregnancy after age 30
- Previous radiation therapy
- Advanced age (over 50)
Symptoms
- Lumps in the breast
- Discharge from the nipple
5. Renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer that grows as a single tumor within the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is usually identified in a computed tomography scan or ultrasound or when the tumors have become extremely large.
Causes
Factors that may increase the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Family history of kidney cancer
- Exposure to trichloroethylene
- Advanced kidney cancer
- African American ethnicity
- Increased acetaminophen use
- Certain conditions
Symptoms
Symptoms may appear in the advanced stages and include:
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain in one side of the body
- Blood in the urine
- Anemia
- Lump in the abdomen
6. Merkel cell carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is commonly found on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. The cancer cells grow and spread rapidly to other parts of the body.
Causes
Risk factors associated with Merkel cell carcinoma include:
- Fair skin type
- Advanced age (over 65)
- Overexposure to the sun
- Weak immune system
Symptoms
Warning signs of Merkel cell carcinoma include:
- Painless, shiny lumps
- Red, pink lumps

SLIDESHOW
Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images See SlideshowHow are carcinomas treated?
Treatment for carcinoma may vary depending on the type, location, and extent of the disease. Options may include:
- Surgery: Removal of the cancerous tissue with some surrounding tissue and an ideal option for long-term survival in the early stages.
- Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy radiation to kill cancerous cells and may be used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy for best results.
- Chemotherapy: Uses drugs that target and eliminate cancerous cells.
Other options include immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, specialized treatment (such as photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery, Mohs surgery, targeted therapy, and chemical peels).
Health News
- Scans Show Brain Changes in People With Long COVID
- Got GERD? Eat This Way to Help Avoid Symptoms
- 5 Women Contracted Syphilis Affecting the Eyes From the Same Asymptomatic Man
- Long COVID Now Common in U.S. Nursing Homes
- Breathing in Coal-Based Pollution Could Be Especially Deadly: Study
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Marta S. What Is Carcinoma? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/what-is-carcinoma
Stanford Health Care. Symptoms of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/cancer/merkel-cell-carcinoma/symptoms.html
Cleveland Clinic. Adenocarcinoma Cancers. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21652-adenocarcinoma-cancers
Cancer Treatment Centers of America. What is carcinoma? https://www.cancercenter.com/carcinoma
Top How Many Different Types of Carcinomas Are There Related Articles
Can Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spread to Lymph Nodes?
Squamous cells are thin, flat cells found in tissues that form the surface of the skin and the lining of body cavities, such as the mouth, nose and throat. Squamous cell carcinoma is a fairly slow-growing carcinoma. Unlike other types of carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma can spread from its original site to the lymph nodes, e.g. in the neck or around the collarbone.Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.Cancer: Does This Cause Cancer?
Everything gives you cancer, right? Not really. WebMD's slide show tells you about the research into cancer and cell phones, X-rays, plastic bottles, coffee, and more.Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma is cancer that forms in the area where the esophagus joins the stomach. Having GERD and Barrett's esophagus increases one's odds of developing gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Symptoms and signs of GE junction adenocarcinoma include dysphagia, weight loss, black stool, cough, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.Is Adenocarcinoma an Aggressive Cancer?
Adenocarcinoma happens when cells in the glands that line organs grow out of control. They may spread to other places and harm healthy organs. Adenocarcinoma in different organs manifests differently, so some are more aggressive than others.What Is the Most Common Type of Renal Cell Carcinoma?
Clear cell carcinoma is the most common type of renal cell carcinoma, which accounts for 75 to 85 percent of all RCC cases.Skin Cancer Slideshow
Discover the causes, types, and treatments of skin cancer. Learn how to prevent skin cancer and how to check for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Also, find out how to spot the early signs of skin cancer.Squamous Cell Carcinoma Picture 1
Squamous cell carcinoma. A raised bump that has scaly or crusty patches in it or around it; it is not usually uniform in shape. Most times it is rapidly growing; sometimes it is an open wound that doesn't heal and may itch or bleed.What Is Lung Adenocarcinoma?
Lung adenocarcinoma is a type of non-small lung cancer that forms in the cells that normally secrete lubricating substances such as mucus. This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in current or former smokers.Signs of Cancer in Women: Symptoms You Can't Ignore
Colon and stomach cancer symptoms can surprise women but can be treated if detected early. Learn about breast cancer signs and symptoms, mammograms, tests for gynecological cancers, and other cancers, including skin cancer, lung cancer, throat cancer, and bladder cancer.