A type of cancer that starts in the cells lining glands, such as those in the lungs, stomach, or colon.
From Greek 'aden' (gland) + 'karkinoma' (cancer). This compound term emerged in the late 19th century as pathologists developed more precise names for different cancer types based on which tissue they originated from.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers, and scientists realized it must have a different origin than the smoking-related squamous cell lung cancers—a discovery that changed how doctors understand cancer and lifestyle.
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