Carcinoma vs. Sarcoma: Types, Causes

1. Difference between Carcinoma and Sarcoma Carcinoma and Sarcoma are two different types of cancer. The suffix ‘oma’ means any type of cancer or tumour. But that’s when the similarities end between sarcoma and carcinoma. Rather, these two types of cancers have more differences than similarities. And these differences originate in the area where they occur i.e the type of tissues. A carcinoma forms in the epithelial cells ( like skin cells and tissues) lining the internal organs of the body such as the gut, lungs, kidney etc. Whereas a sarcoma internal organs of the body such as the gut, lungs, kidney etc. Whereas a sarcoma occurs in the connective tissues of the body like blood, nerves, bones, muscles etc. Types of Carcinoma There are 4 main types of carcinoma: 1. Squamous Epithelium Carcinoma: Neck, head, skin and anal cancers 2. Adenocarcinoma: Breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer 3. Transitional Cell Carcinoma: Bladder cancer 4. Clear Cell Carcinoma: Kidney cell cancer Causes The foremost cause of carcinoma can be a mutation in the cells. These mutations can lead to DNA damage and cause uncontrolled growth of cells. Additionally, sev- eral combinations of DNA can also sabotage the biochemical properties of cancer

2. Types of Sarcoma Osteosarcoma or Bone Sarcoma: Forms in the soft tissues of the body Soft Tissue Sarcoma: These develop in bone tissues like cartilage and bone marrow Causes Sarcoma does not have well-established causes. However, genetic changes in the mesenchymal stem cells may be one of the causes of this type of cancer. Radiation exposure may have contributed to the development of sarcoma in certain people.