A stoma is a surgically created opening that connects an internal organ to the outside of the body. It allows air, fluid, or waste to leave the body in a new way when the normal pathway is blocked, damaged, or removed. A stoma may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medical condition. When a …
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The term “sarcomatoid” describes cancer cells that resemble those typically found in sarcomas. Sarcomas are cancers that develop from connective tissues like bones, muscles, fat, or blood vessels. Sarcomatoid cells are long, thin, and have pointed ends, giving them a spindle-shaped appearance. Pathologists often use the term sarcomatoid to indicate that these cells have a …
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A sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the body’s connective tissues. These tissues support and hold the body together and include bone, muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and fibrous tissue (the tissue that gives structure and strength to organs). Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, sarcomas can begin almost anywhere. …
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The progesterone receptor (PR) is a special type of protein found inside certain cells in the body. It belongs to a group of proteins called nuclear hormone receptors, which control how cells respond to hormones. Progesterone receptors specifically respond to the hormone progesterone, which plays a vital role in reproductive health, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and …
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In pathology, the term precursor is used to describe any non-cancerous condition that has the potential to turn into cancer over time. Precursor diseases can be caused by viruses, genetic changes, or environmental factors such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. The chance that a precursor will eventually turn into cancer depends on many factors …
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Perineural invasion (PNI) is used to describe tumour cells in the space around a nerve. It is usually only seen in malignant (cancerous) tumours and used by pathologists as evidence that a tumour is malignant. PNI is important because the tumour cells can use the nerve to spread into surrounding tissues. This increases the risk …
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p53 is a protein made by a gene called TP53, which plays a critical role in protecting the body from cancer. Because of this, p53 is known as a tumor suppressor. The TP53 gene is located on chromosome 17 and provides instructions for making the p53 protein, which works like a quality control inspector inside …
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In pathology, the term papillary is used to describe finger-like projections of tissue with cells lining the outside surface of the tissue and a central fibrovascular core. Pathologists use the term micropapillary to describe similar but smaller projections of tissue. Papillary growth is most commonly seen in tumours including both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) …
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Osteoid is the soft, unmineralized material that forms the first step in the process of making new bone. It is produced by specialized bone-forming cells called osteoblasts, which are found inside bones. Osteoid serves as the scaffold that becomes hardened bone after minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are added. Under the microscope, freshly made …
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Nucleoli (singular: nucleolus) are small, round structures found inside the nucleus of most cells. They are made up of proteins and a special type of genetic material called RNA. The main job of nucleoli is to produce and assemble components needed to build ribosomes. Ribosomes are essential structures that help cells make proteins. Healthy, actively …
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