The term suspicious for malignancy is used in pathology reports to describe a finding that has features of cancer but lacks enough definitive evidence to confirm the diagnosis. This term indicates that while cancer is strongly suspected, further evaluation or testing is needed to make a final determination. When do pathologists use the term suspicious …
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Poorly differentiated carcinoma is a type of cancer made up of cells that line the surfaces of organs. Differentiation describes how much cancer cells resemble normal cells from the tissue where they started. When cancer is poorly differentiated, the tumour cells have lost many of the normal structures and features, making it difficult to tell …
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MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) is a protein that helps regulate the development, function, and survival of certain types of cells, particularly melanocytes. Melanocytes are specialized cells found in the skin and other tissues where they produce a pigment called melanin. This pigment gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. MITF plays a crucial role …
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A translocation is a specific type of genetic change where a piece of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome. Chromosomes are structures inside your cells that carry DNA, which contains the instructions your body needs to grow and function. When pieces of chromosomes switch places, they create new combinations of genetic material. …
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Matted lymph nodes are groups of lymph nodes that have become stuck together, forming a single mass. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the immune system. They help the body fight infections by filtering out harmful substances. Normally, lymph nodes are separate from one another, but in certain conditions, they can …
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In a molecular pathology report, the word fusion refers to a specific genetic change in which two different genes that are normally separate join together. This joining creates a new, hybrid gene that produces an abnormal protein. These fusion events happen inside the cancer cells and are not something a person is born with. Because …
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Ghost cells are a specific type of dead cell seen under the microscope in certain medical conditions. They are called “ghost” cells because they appear as pale, empty outlines of the original cell, almost as if the cell is a shadow or “ghost” of itself. These cells no longer function and have lost their internal …
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Hematopoiesis is the process by which the body produces new blood cells. The word comes from the Greek words “hema,” meaning blood, and “poiesis,” meaning formation. Hematopoiesis is essential for maintaining the body’s supply of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets, which are all crucial for carrying oxygen, fighting infections, and …
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Definition: A chondroid tumour is a type of growth or mass that contains tissue resembling cartilage. Cartilage is the firm, flexible tissue found in joints, the respiratory tract, and other body parts. Chondroid tumours can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). When is this term used in a pathology report? The term “chondroid tumour” is …
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Definition: In pathology, chondroid refers to tissue that looks and behaves like cartilage. Cartilage is a firm, flexible tissue found in various body parts, such as the joints and respiratory tract. What does chondroid tissue look like under the microscope? Chondroid tissue appears glassy and smooth under the microscope and is made up of cells …
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