What is the Difference Between a Fistula and an Adenoma Structurally?

October 2, 2019 2:28 AM

Looking for the specific structural differences between a fistula and an adenoma structurally and content-wise and also their genesis. If anyone has any images to compare the 2 microscopically, that would be sublime. Thank you.
posted by watercarrier to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

They are two completely different pathologies. A fistula is a connection between two different structures and is a macroscopic diagnosis without, as far as I know, specific microscopic features. An adenoma is a benign tumour of glandular tissue and is going to look very different microscopically depending on what gland or organ it arises from. I don't think there is enough information in your question to provide an answer.
posted by chiquitita at 4:05 AM on October 2, 2019 [4 favorites]

Yes, a fistula is an anatomic term denoting an abnormal connection / communication between two adjacent hollow structures (e.g. rectovaginal fistula, enterocutaneous fistula, etc). An adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular / secretory tissue. An adenoma could progress to an adenocarcinoma which might destroy tissue and cause a fistula, I suppose. More commonly, surgery to remove an adenocarcinoma of the colon might heal poorly, leading to a fistula.

In summary, you’re trying to compare an apple and a bicycle.
posted by killdevil at 6:00 AM on October 2, 2019 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: OK - thanks. The thought was that since an adenoma grows within a gland between walls of tissue is could be considered a *structure* in that respect, I don't think the question is out of bounds.
posted by watercarrier at 9:16 AM on October 2, 2019

An adenoma is I guess a structure but if anything a fistula is an absence of a structure (i.e. the dividing tissue) that should normally be there, it's basically a hole. So a rectovaginal fistula is a hole/gap/wound in the tissue that normally separates the rectum from the vagina.

What the cells around the edge of the hole look like presumably depends what type of tissue(s) it is and on what caused the hole (examples of potential causes being infection, autoimmune disease, trauma, surgery, childbirth & cancer).
posted by *becca* at 9:34 AM on October 2, 2019

you’re trying to compare an apple and a bicycle

More like an apple and the theft of a bicycle, perhaps?
posted by flabdablet at 5:35 AM on October 3, 2019