Reading your pathology report

Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell: — What Your Cancer Type Means

Your pathology report names the type of cell the cancer grew from. That name — adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or another — is not jargon to ignore. It is one of the pieces of information your oncologist uses to choose the right treatment for you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin, Surgical Oncologist, MBBS · MS (General Surgery) · M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

Names the cell, not just the organ — The type tells you which specific cell inside the organ changed — not only where in the body the tumour is.
Same organ, different type, different treatment — Two lung cancers can be different types and need entirely different treatments.
Type guides which tests come next — Certain biomarker tests are only relevant for certain types, so the type determines what your team looks for.
Type stays the same if cancer spreads — If cancer reaches another organ, it is still named and treated by the original cell type.

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The cancer type names the cell the tumour grew from. Adenocarcinoma starts in gland cells — cells that produce secretions. Squamous cell carcinoma starts in flat surface-lining cells. These are the two most common types. The type matters because different cells carry different molecular features, and treatments — including targeted therapies — are matched to those features.

What does the cancer type on your report tell you?

Your histopathology report names the type of cell where the cancer began. This is not the same as naming the organ — it describes which specific cell inside that organ underwent a change.

The pathologist identifies the cell pattern by examining tissue under a microscope. That pattern gives the cancer its type name.

Your oncologist uses the type alongside the organ, the stage, and the grade to build your treatment plan. It is one of the most important lines on the report, and it is worth understanding what it says.

What do the most common cancer type names mean?

Carcinoma: The broad term for any cancer that starts in lining or gland cells. Most cancers are carcinomas. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are both subtypes of carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma: Started in gland cells — cells whose job is to produce secretions such as mucus, digestive juices, or hormones. Common in the lung, breast, bowel, prostate, stomach, and pancreas.
Squamous cell carcinoma: Started in squamous cells — flat, scale-like cells that line surfaces. Found in the lung, throat, oesophagus, cervix, skin, and head and neck.
Small cell carcinoma: Started in neuroendocrine cells. Most often found in the lung. It behaves differently from other carcinomas, and treatment is planned accordingly.
Sarcoma: Started in supporting tissues — muscle, bone, fat, or blood vessels — rather than in lining or gland cells. Sarcomas are a distinct family treated differently from carcinomas.
Poorly differentiated: The cells look very unlike any normal cell type, making the exact starting cell hard to identify. This describes cell appearance, not location, and is part of the grade rather than the type.

How do adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma differ?

	Adenocarcinoma	Squamous cell carcinoma
Cell of origin	Gland cells that produce secretions	Flat cells that line body surfaces
Common locations	Lung, breast, bowel, prostate, stomach, pancreas	Lung, throat, oesophagus, cervix, skin, head and neck
Appearance under microscope	Cells arranged in gland-like clusters or tubes	Flat, overlapping cells, sometimes with keratin formations
Biomarkers often tested	EGFR, ALK, HER2, KRAS (varies by organ)	PD-L1; EGFR mutation less common in this type
Treatment implication	Targeted oral therapies available if specific mutations are present	Immunotherapy and chemotherapy regimens may differ from adenocarcinoma

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Why does the cancer type change which treatment you receive?

Different cell types carry different molecular features. A targeted therapy drug is designed to act on one specific feature, so it only works if that feature is present in your tumour.

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is more likely to carry EGFR or ALK mutations that certain oral tablets are designed to block. Squamous cell carcinoma of the same organ rarely carries those mutations, so those tablets would not help.

Knowing the type early focuses biomarker testing on the markers relevant to your specific cells — and avoids testing that would not change your treatment plan.

What other type-related words might appear on your report?

Well differentiated, moderately differentiated, poorly differentiated

These describe the grade — how much the cancer cells still resemble the normal cells they came from. Well differentiated means they look fairly similar to normal cells. Poorly differentiated means they look very unlike normal cells. Grade is separate from type: a cancer can be adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated at the same time.

In situ

Means the cancer cells are confined to the layer where they started and have not grown into surrounding tissue. You will see this term most often in breast and cervical reports. Your oncologist will explain what it means for your specific situation and what monitoring or treatment follows.

Invasive

Means the cancer cells have grown beyond the layer where they started into surrounding tissue. Invasive does not automatically mean the cancer has spread to other organs — it describes local behaviour only. Your oncologist will explain what invasive means in the context of your stage and the organ involved.

Neuroendocrine

Describes cells that share features of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. Neuroendocrine tumours are graded and staged differently from carcinomas, and treatment pathways are distinct. If you see this term, ask your oncologist how it changes the approach compared to a standard carcinoma at the same site.

NOS — Not Otherwise Specified

You may see this after a type name — for example, 'carcinoma NOS'. It means the pathologist can identify the broad category but the sample does not contain enough information to name the subtype. Additional laboratory staining called immunohistochemistry, or a larger biopsy sample, may be requested before treatment is decided.

Mixed type

Sometimes a tumour contains more than one cell type. The pathologist names the dominant type and notes the others. Mixed findings can make treatment decisions more complex, because the approach for each type may differ. Your oncologist will discuss what a mixed result means for your specific case.

Did you know?

The cancer type named on your pathology report stays the same even if the cancer spreads to another organ. A lung adenocarcinoma that reaches the liver is still treated as lung adenocarcinoma — not as liver cancer.

This is why the type on your original report remains one of the most important pieces of information throughout your care, not just at diagnosis.

Source: WHO Classification of Tumours; NCCN Principles of Cancer Treatment

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can the same cancer type appear in different organs?

Yes. Adenocarcinoma, for example, is found in the lung, bowel, breast, prostate, and many other organs. The type name tells you the cell of origin, not the organ. Two people with adenocarcinoma in different organs may share the type name but have very different treatment plans, because the organ, stage, and specific biomarkers all contribute alongside the type.

Does the cancer type tell us how serious it is?

Not on its own. Seriousness — or prognosis — also depends on the stage, the grade, which organ is involved, whether it has spread, and your overall health. Some types tend to behave more aggressively than others, but your oncologist will explain what the combination of findings means for your situation rather than drawing a conclusion from the type name alone.

Can the cancer type change over time or after treatment?

The original type does not change, but in some cancers the cells can shift their appearance over time or after treatment. This is why a new biopsy is sometimes taken if the cancer returns or behaves differently. If this happens in your case, your oncologist will explain why a repeat biopsy was needed and what it showed.

Why would two people with the same type and organ get different treatments?

Because the type is only one part of the decision. Two people both diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma may have different EGFR, ALK, or PD-L1 results, different stages, different fitness levels, and different prior treatments. Each of those factors changes which option is most appropriate. Your oncologist weighs all of them together, not the type alone.

My report says 'poorly differentiated' — does that mean the type could not be identified?

Not necessarily. Poorly differentiated describes the grade — how much the cells still resemble normal cells. Many poorly differentiated tumours can still be identified as a specific type, such as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, using additional laboratory staining called immunohistochemistry. If the type genuinely cannot be determined, the pathologist will say so explicitly and may request further testing or a larger sample.

Should I ask for my report to be explained to me in words?

Yes, and it is entirely reasonable to do so. Your histopathology report is written for a clinical audience, but you are entitled to understand what is in it. Ask your oncologist to walk through the key findings with you — especially the type, the grade, and what testing is planned next. Bringing a family member to that conversation can help you remember what was discussed.

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