What should you know about types of adenocarcinoma lung cancer?

A pathologist may describe adenocarcinoma by the way tumour cells are arranged, such as lepidic, acinar, papillary, micropapillary, or solid patterns. A tumour can contain more than one pattern, so the report may mention a predominant pattern and features linked with more invasive behaviour. Doctors also consider whether the cancer is confined to the lung, involves nearby nodes, or has spread to another organ. Symptoms vary; a persistent cough, chest discomfort, breathlessness, or hoarse voice can have many causes and do not identify the tumour type.

Ask for a copy of the pathology report and clarification of the stage, grade, and tissue sample. Genomic tumour profiling may look for molecular changes that can guide targeted treatment. Depending on the findings, the care plan may include lung lobectomy or another operation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination. The team may also discuss treatment for disease outside the lung, including brain metastases, and supportive care for symptoms and daily function.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue lips, coughing up a large amount of blood, sudden confusion, or new weakness. Contact the oncology team promptly for worsening cough, chest pain, fever, increasing difficulty swallowing, or a new change in voice. New headaches, seizures, balance problems, or one-sided weakness also need urgent assessment because they may signal a problem requiring rapid investigation.

Which adenocarcinoma patterns are present in my report? What is the stage and how was it established? Has genomic tumour profiling been completed, and could it change treatment? Is surgery suitable, and what would chemotherapy or radiotherapy add? Which symptoms should trigger urgent contact?