Lung Adenocarcinoma Subtypes

Adenocarcinoma has a vary tumors, and some of histological subtypes are currently recognized:

1. Acinar adenocarcinoma
2. Papillary adenocarcinoma
3. Bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma
4. Solid adenocarcinoma with mucin production

Adenocarcinoma of the lung tends to stain mucin positive as it is derived from the mucus producing glands of the lungs. Similar to other adenocarcinoma, if this tumor is well differentiated (low grade) it will resemble the normal glandular structure. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma will not resemble the normal glands (high grade) and will be detected by seeing that they stain positive for mucin (which the glands produce).

In as many as 80% of tumors that are extensively sampled, components more than one of these subtypes will be recognized. In such cases, the tumors should be classified as a fifth "subtype", namely "adenocarcinoma, mixed subtypes".

Main article: Adenocarcinoma