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Reading your histopathology report

Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Lymphoma: — Three Words That Determine Who Treats You

These three words name the tissue category where your cancer started. Each one routes you to a different specialist and a different treatment pathway. Finding the right word on your report is the first step in understanding what your team is planning.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Three separate categories — Carcinoma, sarcoma and lymphoma are not interchangeable — each describes a fundamentally different origin in the body.
  • The word is on your report — Look near 'Diagnosis' or 'Final diagnosis', usually as part of a longer phrase.
  • It determines your specialist — The word tells your team whether you need a medical oncologist, a sarcoma specialist, or a haematologist.
  • It shapes which tests come next — Staging scans and additional tests depend on which category your cancer falls into.
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These three words on your report name the tissue type where the cancer started. Carcinoma means it started in lining or glandular tissue. Sarcoma means it started in bone, muscle or connective tissue. Lymphoma means it started in the lymphatic system. Each word determines which specialist leads your care.

What does each word mean?

Carcinoma
A cancer that started in epithelial cells — the cells lining organs, skin and glands. Most cancers seen in India are carcinomas. Breast, lung, bowel and cervical cancers are all carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma
A carcinoma that started in glandular cells. The prefix 'adeno' means gland. Lung, colon, stomach and prostate cancers are often adenocarcinomas. It is a sub-type of carcinoma, not a separate category.
Squamous cell carcinoma
A carcinoma that started in flat cells lining surfaces such as the mouth, throat, oesophagus, cervix or skin. Also a sub-type of carcinoma, not a third category.
Sarcoma
A cancer that started in connective tissue — bone, cartilage, fat, muscle or blood vessels. Sarcomas are rarer than carcinomas and benefit from specialist centre review.
Lymphoma
A cancer that started in lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the immune system. Lymphomas are treated by haematologists rather than solid tumour oncologists.
Hodgkin lymphoma
A specific lymphoma type identified by a distinctive cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell, seen under the microscope. Your haematologist will confirm which type applies to you.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
A large group of lymphomas that do not contain Reed-Sternberg cells. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common sub-type in India.

Where will you find this word on your report?

Look for a section headed 'Diagnosis', 'Final diagnosis' or 'Histological diagnosis'. The category word will be part of a longer phrase — for example, 'moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon' or 'diffuse large B-cell lymphoma'.

The word you are looking for almost always ends in '-oma'. It rarely appears alone — it will be accompanied by a qualifier describing the organ, the grade, or the cell type.

This page explains what these words mean. Your oncologist or pathologist is the right person to explain what your specific report says about you.

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What to do once you have found the word

  • Copy the exact phrase from the 'Diagnosis' line — the full phrase, not just one word.
  • Bring the complete pathology report to every appointment, not just a photo or a summary.
  • Ask your oncologist which specialist will lead your care and whether a referral is needed.
  • Ask what grade means on your report — it is separate information from the diagnosis word.
  • If your report says sarcoma, ask whether your centre has a dedicated sarcoma multidisciplinary team.
  • If you cannot place your diagnosis into one of these three categories, ask your doctor to explain it in writing.

Does the type of cancer change the treatment?

Yes, significantly. The category word is one of the first things your oncologist reads because it tells them which treatment protocols apply.

Carcinomas are treated by medical or surgical oncologists depending on the organ and stage. Sarcomas are rarer and are often managed at specialist centres with a dedicated multidisciplinary sarcoma team. Lymphomas are treated by haematologists, and the approach differs substantially from solid tumour care.

The category also shapes which additional tests are ordered. Lymphoma staging involves a bone marrow biopsy and a specific scan pattern not routinely used in carcinoma staging.

If your report uses a word that does not fit these three categories — 'melanoma', 'myeloma', 'leukaemia' — ask your oncologist where it fits. Each has its own specialist pathway.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

My report says 'adenocarcinoma' — is that the same as carcinoma?

Yes. Adenocarcinoma is a specific type of carcinoma — it tells your pathologist that the cancer started in glandular cells. It belongs to the carcinoma category and is treated by the oncologist who manages that organ's cancers. The 'adeno' prefix influences which additional tests may be run and which treatment options are considered, but it does not move you to a different specialist category.

What is the difference between Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Both are lymphomas, but they behave differently and are treated differently. Hodgkin lymphoma is defined by the presence of a specific cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell under the microscope. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma covers a large group of other lymphoma types; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common in India. Your haematologist will explain which type you have and what that means for your treatment.

My report does not use any of these three words — what does that mean?

Some cancers use terminology outside this pattern. Leukaemia, myeloma and melanoma are cancers with their own specialist pathways that do not follow the carcinoma-sarcoma-lymphoma framework. If you have a report but have not yet spoken to an oncologist, that conversation is the essential next step — a report alone, without a specialist to interpret it for your specific situation, does not give you the full picture.

Does a sarcoma diagnosis mean I need to go to a different hospital?

Not always immediately, but sarcomas benefit from review by a specialist sarcoma multidisciplinary team. This team includes a sarcoma surgeon, a medical oncologist with sarcoma experience, a specialist radiologist and a pathologist who sub-types sarcomas. If your current centre does not have a dedicated sarcoma team, ask your oncologist about a referral for a second opinion on the plan — treatment may still be delivered closer to home afterwards.

Can the same person have both a carcinoma and a lymphoma?

Yes, though it is uncommon. Two independent primary cancers can develop in the same person, either at the same time or at different points in life. They would typically be treated separately by different specialists working in coordination. Your oncologist will explain if this applies to you. It is also possible for lymphoma to appear near an organ in a way that resembles a carcinoma on imaging — pathology testing is the step that distinguishes the two.

Is one of these three types more serious than the others?

Seriousness depends on the specific sub-type, the organ involved, the stage, and your general health — not on the category name alone. Some lymphomas respond very well to treatment. Some early-stage carcinomas are managed surgically with good outcomes. Some sarcomas are slow-growing; others are not. The grade and stage on your report, together with your oncologist's assessment, tell you far more than the category word alone.

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