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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In a pathology report, the term heterogeneous refers to a tissue, cell population, or structure that is made up of different components, types, or appearances rather than being uniform or consistent. Pathologists use this term to describe findings that vary in size, shape, colour, or composition within the same specimen. The opposite of heterogenous is …
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What does homogeneous mean? Homogeneous is a word pathologists use to describe a tissue that looks the same from one area of the tissue sample to the next. Tissues that are similar looking in colour, shape, and size can be described as homogeneous. Homogeneous can be used to describe the way the tissue looks with …
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A hamartoma is a noncancerous growth composed of an abnormal mixture of normal tissues, typically found in the part of the body where the growth occurs. The word “hamartoma” comes from a Greek term meaning “to go wrong,” referring to how the tissue develops in a disorganized way. Unlike a typical tumor, which starts from a …
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A gland is a special structure in the body made up of cells that are designed to produce and release substances. These substances may be fluids, hormones, or enzymes that help the body function normally. Some glands release their products onto body surfaces, such as the inside of the mouth or stomach, while others release …
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In pathology, the term “gross” refers to observations made by examining tissues or organs with the naked eye, without the use of a microscope or any magnification tools. Gross examination involves assessing the general appearance and physical features of a tissue sample or organ, including its size, shape, color, texture, and the presence of any …
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Granulation describes the look of tissue that is healing after an injury. Without a microscope, the tissue usually looks red or pink and it often feels soft to the touch. When examined under a microscope, the tissue is made up of many small blood vessels surrounded by a combination of cells from the immune system. …
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A granuloma is a small, organized collection of immune cells that forms when the body attempts to isolate and contain something it can’t easily remove, such as certain infections, foreign materials, or other irritants. The primary type of cell found in a granuloma is the histiocyte, a kind of immune cell that helps protect the …
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Fibrosis is a process where the body forms too much fibrous connective tissue, commonly known as scar tissue, in an organ or tissue. This usually occurs as part of your body’s natural healing response after injury or long-term inflammation. While fibrosis helps repair damage, excessive scarring can cause problems by replacing healthy tissue and disrupting …
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The Fuhrman grade is a system used to classify the aggressiveness of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is the most common type of kidney cancer. Developed by Gary A. Fuhrman in the 1980s, this grading system helps pathologists and oncologists evaluate how cancer cells look under a microscope compared to normal kidney cells. The Fuhrman …
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