Carcinoma Research Paper

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9/4/12 Carcinomas Hom e Contact Us Español Refer a Patient Donate Now search our site >> About St. Jude Patient Resources Clinical Programs Research Ways to Help Disease Information Solid Tumor: Carcinomas Alternate Names: None Definition Carcinomas are malignancies that originate in the epithelial tissues. Epithelial cells cover the external surface of the body, line the internal cavities, and form the lining of glandular tissues. These cancers are classified into six categories: Adrenocortical carcinoma, which arises from the adrenal cortex, the outside layer of the adrenal gland. The cells in the adrenal cortex make hormones that help the body work properly, such as steroids and hormones important for sexual development and…show more content…
In the United States, about 1,050 children and adolescents are diagnosed with carcinomas each year. Of these, about 350 (35.5 percent) are thyroid carcinomas and 300-350 (30.9 percent) are melanomas. Adrenocortical carcinomas (1.3 percent), nasopharyngeal carcinomas (4.5 percent), other skin carcinomas (0.5 percent), along with other and unspecified (27.3 percent) make up the rest. All of the carcinomas represent only 9 percent of all cancers in children. Nearly 75 percent (2,047) of the childhood carcinomas occur in adolescents (15-19 years old), including 75 percent of the thyroid carcinomas, 80 percent of the melanomas, 63 percent of the nasopharyngeal carcinomas, and 74 percent of the other and unspecified carcinomas. Influencing Factors The most well established risk factor for thyroid carcinoma is exposure to ionizing radiation, from both environmental and therapeutic sources. The primary risk factor for melanoma is sun exposure. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma appears to be associated with infection by the Epstein-Barr
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