Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

What type of cancer originates from connective tissues like bone and muscles?

1. Adenoma

2. Sarcoma

3. Lipoma

4. Carcinoma

The correct answer is: Sarcoma

Sarcoma is the correct choice because it specifically refers to a type of cancer that arises from connective tissues, such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. This classification is critical in understanding cancer types, as sarcomas differ from other forms of cancer, namely carcinomas, which originate from epithelial tissues. To provide some context, adenomas are benign tumors that arise from epithelial tissue, and while they can develop in glandular structures, they are not classified as cancers, as they are typically not malignant. Lipomas are benign tumors specifically made up of adipose (fat) tissue and are also not malignant, thus further distinguishing them from sarcomas. Lastly, carcinomas are a broader category that includes cancers derived from epithelial cells, including those of the skin and lining of organs, which do not originate from the connective tissues that sarcomas do. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate coding and classification of different cancer types within the field of medical coding.