Cancer Care
From diagnosis and throughout treatment, Main Line Health cancer specialists (oncologists) provide compassionate care for you and your loved ones through all stages of cancer treatment.
Mucinous Carcinoma
What is mucinous carcinoma?
Mucinous carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that make mucus. These cells are called epithelial cells, and they line your skin and the inside of your organs. While you may think of mucus as being only in your nose or lungs, it's in many places inside your body to help keep things moving smoothly.
Since these mucus-producing cells are all over your body, it means that mucinous carcinoma can happen in many different places. Common spots for a mucinous carcinoma to appear include the:
- Skin, especially on the eyelid
- Breast
- Stomach
- Colon or intestines
- Lung
- Kidney
- Appendix
In women, mucinous carcinoma can also happen in the ovaries. In men, it can happen in the testes.
When it's visible on the skin, mucinous carcinoma often looks like a reddish, round bump. In other places on the body, like the breast, you may feel a lump under the skin.
Diagnosis and testing for mucinous carcinoma
Early detection is important, so if you find a bump on or under your skin, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will ask you some questions and do a physical exam. You may also need an imaging test like an X-ray, CT scan or MRI so that your doctor can get a better view. Sometimes, your doctor may find a mucinous carcinoma on your test results if you had images taken for another health problem.
Treatments
Treatment for mucinous carcinoma usually includes surgery to remove the tumor. You may also need chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Talk to your doctor to see what treatments are best for you.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to fight almost every type of cancer and is part of the comprehensive treatment plan created by our oncologists.
Radiation Oncology
At Main Line Health, our expert radiation oncologists use the latest technology to give you powerful, precise treatment.