What's the difference between cancer and carcinoma?
Carcinoma is a type of cancer that forms in epithelial tissue. Other types of cancer form elsewhere, such as in connective tissue (sarcoma), bone marrow (leukemia), etc. Most cancer diagnoses are carcinoma.
Does carcinoma mean tumor?
Carcinoma cells can be treated early before multiplying and becoming a mass (tumor). Untreated, however, carcinoma usually forms a tumor. Carcinoma is different from other cancers that aren't often associated with tumors, like leukemia.
Can carcinoma be cured?
Some forms of carcinoma can be cured with early detection and early treatment. For instance, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has a 100% five-year survival rate. This means that people with BCC are just as likely to be alive five years after diagnosis as someone without a BCC diagnosis. Squamous cell carcinoma has a similar five-year survival rate of 95%.
Talk to your provider about your prognosis based on your specific carcinoma.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Many people who learn they have carcinoma rightfully wonder, is it serious? The honest answer can feel frustrating. It depends. Having carcinoma means that cancer has formed in a specific type of tissue. Other factors, like the size of the tumor, where it's located in your body, whether it's spread, etc., may provide better information about what's involved in your treatment plan. These details also inform the likelihood of getting rid of cancer over the long term. Ask your provider about how the characteristics of your carcinoma and your health influence your chance of remission.
