MyPathologyReport
July 1, 2023
In pathology, the term basaloid neoplasm is used to describe a tumour made up of cells that look dark blue when examined under a microscope. The cells in the tumour, or neoplasm, are called basaloid because they look similar to the basal cells normally found at the bottom of a thin layer of tissue called the epithelium.
Basaloid neoplasm is not a specific diagnosis. It is a category that includes many different types of benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumours. These tumours can be found anywhere in the body although they are more common in the skin, salivary glands, breasts, lungs, and cervix.
Pathologists often use the term basaloid neoplasm when describing a small tissue sample removed in a procedure called a biopsy. In this instance, there may not be enough tissue available for the pathologist to make a final diagnosis and this term is used to provide a preliminary diagnosis that your doctors may use to start planning your care. This term may also be used after an entire tumour is removed and the tumour shows features that may be seen in more than one kind of tumour. Additional tests such as immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing (NSG) may be performed to help determine the specific tumour type.
No. Many types of basaloid neoplasms are non-cancerous. By examining the tissue under the microscope and performing additional tests such as immunohistochemistry, your pathologist will decide if the basaloid neoplasm is non-cancerous or cancerous.
A malignant basaloid neoplasm is a cancerous tumour made up of basaloid cells. There are many different types of malignant basaloid neoplasms.
Doctors wrote this article to help you read and understand your pathology report. Contact us with any questions about this article or your pathology report. Read this article for a more general introduction to the parts of a typical pathology report.