Which term is used to refer to diffuse type adenocarcinoma in the Lauren classification?

The term "linitis plastica" is used to describe a specific type of diffuse adenocarcinoma, particularly in the context of gastric cancer as classified by Lauren. This term refers to a desmoplastic reaction leading to thickening and rigidity of the stomach wall, giving it a "plastic" feel upon examination. In diffuse adenocarcinoma, the cancer cells invade the gastric wall in a non-cohesive pattern, which results in a more widespread infiltration rather than the formation of distinct tumor masses. This can lead to the characteristic appearance of the stomach being 'thickened' and 'plastic', hence the name linitis plastica, which translates from Latin to "plastic-like gastritis."

In contrast, other terms associated with adenocarcinoma have distinct meanings: signet ring carcinoma, for instance, references a specific histological variant of adenocarcinoma where the cancer cells contain mucin and have a characteristic signet ring appearance, but does not encompass the broad characteristics associated with the overall diffuse type. Medullary carcinoma refers to a specific and rare subtype of breast cancer with distinct features, while pyloric adenocarcinoma indicates a tumor located specifically at the pylorus of the stomach rather than addressing the diffuse type in general