HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of many cells in the body. In healthy cells, HER2 acts like an antenna — it receives growth signals from the surrounding environment and passes them into the cell, helping to control when the cell grows and divides. Normally, each cell …
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Adenosquamous carcinoma is a type of cancer that contains two distinct cell types within the same tumor: glandular cells and squamous cells. Glandular cells normally produce and release substances such as mucus or enzymes, while squamous cells form the flat surface layers of the skin and line many internal organs. Because it contains both cell …
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Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in glandular cells — specialized cells that normally produce substances like mucus, hormones, or digestive juices. Glandular cells line the inside of many organs throughout the body, which is why adenocarcinoma is one of the most common types of cancer overall. When you see this word in …
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A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small piece of tissue or a sample of cells is removed from the body for examination under a microscope. Pathologists use biopsies to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including cancer, infections, and inflammatory diseases. Examining cells and tissues closely enables pathologists to detect changes that …
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The Pathology Dictionary provides simple, patient-friendly definitions of the most common words and phrases used in pathology reports. Each entry explains what a term means in plain language and how pathologists use it. There are currently over 500 terms in the dictionary, covering everything from basic concepts like biopsy and malignant to specialized tests like …
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Biomarkers are measurable features found in cancer cells — including specific proteins, gene mutations, and other molecular changes — that tell doctors important things about a cancer: what type it is, how it is likely to behave, and which treatments are most likely to work. Biomarker and genetic testing have become one of the most …
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