adenocarcinoma

American  

[ad-n-oh-kahr-suh-noh-muh] / ˌæd n oʊˌkɑr səˈnoʊ mə /

noun

Pathology.

plural

adenocarcinomas, adenocarcinomata

1. a malignant tumor arising from secretory epithelium.

2. a malignant tumor of glandlike structure.

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adenocarcinoma British  

/ ˌædɪnəʊˌkɑːsɪˈnəʊmə /

noun

1. a malignant tumour originating in glandular tissue

2. a malignant tumour with a glandlike structure

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Other Word Forms

• adenocarcinomatous adjective

Etymology

Origin of adenocarcinoma

First recorded in 1885–90; adeno- + carcinoma

Example Sentences

Her family then arranged a private appointment and she was referred to a specialist, who gave Jess a terminal cancer diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, cancer of the glands that line the organs, in November.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

Combined with chemotherapy in a Phase 3 trial, the drug Ziihera showed clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival for patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma, or GEA.

From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025

Jenks has been diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

Furthermore, rbNPs successfully suppressed the growth of tumors in mice having aggressive adenocarcinoma in their peritoneal cavity, without any adverse effects.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2024

Rather, the article said, it was “a very aggressive adenocarcinoma of the cervix,” meaning it originated from glandular tissue in her cervix instead of epithelial tissue.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot