Adenocarcinoma

What are the treatments for the disease?

Adenocarcinoma is treated with one or more of the following:

Early-stage disease is localized and may be treated by surgery alone. The whole tumor and the tissue around it are removed. Sometimes chemotherapy is given after surgery to make sure that any cancer left behind is killed. This is called adjuvant therapy. The goal is to prevent the return of the cancer. Radiation may also be given to the area of the tumor to kill any disease left behind after surgery.

If adenocarcinoma is in the advanced stage, treatment is focused on improving the person's quality of life. This is done by shrinking tumors that are causing symptoms such as pain. Either radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used. Advanced adenocarcinoma is not curable.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Side effects depend on the type of treatment chosen and the intensity of the therapy. The side effects of therapy are usually manageable. Treatment for advanced-stage disease is designed to relieve symptoms, so side effects are minimized.

What happens after treatment for the disease?

People who have early-stage disease are followed to make sure the cancer does not return. People with advanced adenocarcinoma are followed to make sure that the disease is not progressing. If the disease does return or progress, then a different treatment can be tried.

How is the disease monitored?

People who have been treated for adenocarcinoma should have routine physical exams to look for signs of recurrence. The frequency of these exams will decrease over time, if the disease has been successfully treated. Close monitoring will allow for changes in therapy to maintain the best possible quality of life. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.