Lung adenocarcinoma is one of three major subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), along with squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. According to what was reported by the Italian Association for Cancer Research (Airc), it is the most frequent and represents approximately 60% of cases in this category. It generally develops in the more peripheral areas of the lung, corresponding to the smaller diameter bronchi.
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From a clinical point of view, lung tumors are mainly divided into two large categories: non-small cell tumors, which represent approximately 85% of cases, and small cell tumors, also called microcytomas, responsible for the remaining 10-15%. Overall, according to Airtum 2025 data, in Italy there are an estimated 27,100 new diagnoses of lung cancer among men and 16,400 among women.
As reported in an in-depth study on the website of the Sant'Orsola Polyclinic (Bologna), the origin of adenocarcinoma is linked to a process of uncontrolled cell growth, due to a genetic mutation of the DNA. These alterations cause an abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells in the lung tissues, giving rise to tumor formation, which generally develops in the alveoli and bronchi. The exact causes that lead to the appearance of this anomaly are not yet completely clear. The main risk factors include cigarette smoking and exposure to asbestos or other heavy agents such as arsenic, radon or nickel. Adenocarcinoma, however, can also develop in people who have never smoked. As Claudio Micheletto, director of the complex Pneumology operational unit of the University Hospital of Verona and member of the board of directors of the Italian Association of Hospital Pneumologists (Aipo), clarified, "it is a neoplasm not always linked to smoking, in the sense that there is a percentage of people who have these forms, despite not having had exposure to active smoking".
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In the initial stages, lung adenocarcinoma does not manifest itself with obvious symptoms. As the Sant'Orsola Polyclinic points out, the tumor is often discovered during normal check-ups, without the patient suspecting he has the disease. However, as the tumor progresses, various disorders may appear, especially affecting the respiratory system. The most common symptoms include a persistent cough, usually dry and sometimes accompanied by blood, difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. Generalized weakness, fever, seemingly unexplained weight loss, and lack of appetite may also occur.
To detect a possible lung tumor, various diagnostic imaging tests can be used, including chest x-ray, thoracic ultrasound, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging and PET. The choice of tests depends on the individual case. When a suspicious formation is detected, a tissue sample must be analyzed in the laboratory to establish its nature and characteristics. The diagnostic picture is completed by determining the staging of the tumor and its degree of advancement.
Treatment of lung adenocarcinoma depends on several factors, including the stage of the disease, the size and location of the tumor, and the patient's clinical condition. If the tumor is diagnosed when it has not metastasized and has compatible characteristics (both in size and position), surgical removal is generally performed, associated or not with radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatments. The choice of the most appropriate treatment is evaluated by the medical team based on the characteristics of the disease and the patient's condition.
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Treatment options and prognosis depend primarily on the stage at which the cancer is detected. Early diagnosis therefore plays an important role, because it allows intervention when the disease is still limited. In this regard, Micheletto explained that, in the Pontiff's case, the adenocarcinoma was identified at an early stage. "Fortunately, in the Pontiff's case, the adenocarcinoma was identified at an early stage and therefore limited to a" lung lobe, "and generally surgery is conclusive, except that not only the histological examination must be confirmed, but also the possible presence" of tumor cells "in the lymph nodes", explained the expert.
