Carcinomas are malignant cancers that develop from epithelial cells, specialized cells that line the tissues of the body. Epithelial cells provide protection to underlying tissue and secrete factors that aid in organ functioning. Carcinomas develop when epithelial cells acquire genetic mutations, causing the cells to proliferate out of control and form a tumor. Aggressive carcinomas can develop from epithelial cells in multiple parts of the body.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Invasive ductal carcinoma is a carcinoma of the breast, and accounts for about 80 percent of breast cancer cases, according to BreastCancer.org. The breast ducts are made up of glandular epithelial cells that form a series of tubes that carry milk to the nipple. Invasive ductal carcinoma describes a cancerous growth within one or more ducts that gains the ability to invade other tissues of the breast. As a result, women with invasive ductal cancer may develop swelling under the arm as cancer cells invade lymph nodes around the breast, and may also develop cancerous growths in the lungs or in bone as the cancer spreads throughout the body. Though invasive ductal carcinoma can prove fatal, early detection often allows for effective cancer treatment.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Another form of aggressive cancer is renal cell carcinoma, a type of carcinoma that affects the kidneys. Each kidney contains specialized renal cells that filter the blood, help regulate water retention in the body, and aid in the conservation of nutrients by preventing nutrient loss into the urine. Renal cell carcinoma develops from epithelial cells in the tubules, the small tubes within the kidney. MedlinePlus indicates that patients with renal cell carcinoma often suffer from abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss due to nutrient loss, and blood in the urine due to damage to kidney structure. Renal cell carcinoma is very aggressive and readily spreads to other areas of the body, including the lungs. Patients with renal cell carcinoma must undergo aggressive cancer treatment which may involve compete removal of the affected kidney.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma
Transitional cell carcinoma is a carcinoma of the renal pelvic, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. The renal pelvis and bladder contain several transitional epithelial cells that help to maintain the integrity of the bladder walls. These cells help provide resiliency as the bladder walls are continually stretched and contracted due to the accumulation and passing of urine. Patients who develop transitional cell carcinoma experience painful and frequent urination, blood in the urine, as well as lower back or pelvic pain. If the cancer progresses and begins to metastasize, the aggressive nature of the cancer leads to a poor patient prognosis, according to the National Cancer Institute. Transitional cell carcinoma requires aggressive treatment, such as combination chemotherapy, to help control the disease.
