Carcinoma

Well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, a type of carcinoma. H&E stain.

Carcinoma is an epithelial-derived malignancy.

Carcinoma not otherwise specified, also carcinoma NOS, is a non-specific malignant diagnosis that without further information is not very useful for treatment decisions.

Generally speaking, pathologists try to be more specific when this is possible.

Carcinomas where the origin, i.e. primary site, is not known are cancers of unknown primary; this is dealt with separately in the article cancers of unknown primary.

Types of carcinoma

Large categories

• Adenocarcinoma.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (also squamous carcinoma).
• Small cell carcinoma.
• Adenosquamous carcinoma.
• Clear cell carcinoma.
• Mucinous carcinoma.
• Neuroendocrine carcinoma.

An incomplete list

• Collecting duct carcinoma.
• Tubulocystic carcinoma of the kidney.
• Tubulocystic carcinoma.
• Endometrial carcinoma.
• Epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma.
• Ductal carcinoma of the breast.
• Anal carcinoma.
• Gallbladder carcinoma.
• Colorectal carcinoma.
• Small cell carcinoma.
• Renal cell carcinoma.
• Follicular thyroid carcinoma.
• Papillary thyroid carcinoma.
• Medullary thyroid carcinoma.
• Embryonal carcinoma.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Adrenocortical carcinoma.
• Basal cell carcinoma.
• Ductal carcinoma. - may be at number of sites (e.g. breast, pancreas) and invasive or non-invasive.
• Lobular carcinoma.
• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
• Mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
• Renal medullary carcinoma.
• Adenoid cystic carcinoma.
• Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma.
• Salivary duct carcinoma.
• NUT midline carcinoma.
• Urothelial carcinoma.

Small carcinoma

• Microcarcinoma.

See also

• Cancers of unknown primary.
• Immunohistochemistry.
• Adenoma.