MyPathologyReport
November 30, 2023
An abscess is a large collection of immune cells that form inside tissue. Most abscesses are made up of specialized immune cells called neutrophils although other types of immune cells including lymphocytes and eosinophils can also be seen in smaller abscesses. Pus is a term used to describe the soft material found on the inside of an abscess.
An abscess can be caused by infection (in particular bacterial infections), trauma, inflammatory conditions, or obstruction of an organ or tissue. An abscess can also be seen in the tissue surrounding a tumour. In this situation, the condition may represent the immune system’s attempt to contain the growing tumour or may result from material spilling out of the tumour into the surrounding tissue.
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