HMB-45 (Human Melanoma Black-45) is an antibody used by pathologists to detect a protein called gp100. This protein is normally found in melanocytes—cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. Melanocytes are mostly located in the skin but can also appear in mucosal areas (like the mouth) and eyes. Because …
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Melan-A (also known as Mart-1) is a protein made by certain types of cells in the body. It is most commonly found in melanocytes, which produce melanin, a pigment that gives colour to skin, hair, and eyes. Melan-A is also important in pathology because it can help pathologists identify specific types of tumours. What is …
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PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1) is a protein found on the surface of many normal cells and certain cancer cells. It is part of a natural system in the body called an immune checkpoint, which helps regulate your immune system and prevents it from becoming overactive. Specifically, PD-L1 interacts with another protein called PD-1, which is …
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Vascular invasion means that cancer cells have grown into a blood vessel. Pathologists also call it angioinvasion. Blood vessels carry blood through the body, so cancer cells that enter them can travel to other organs. A pathologist looks for vascular invasion when examining a tumor under the microscope. Vascular invasion is a finding, not a …
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Angioinvasion means cells or organisms have grown into the wall of a blood vessel or into its lumen. The word comes from “angio,” meaning vessel, and “invasion.” In cancer, angioinvasion is another name for vascular invasion. Pathologists also use the term for some lymphomas and for certain fungal infections. Angioinvasion is a finding, not a …
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A well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor is a cancer made of neuroendocrine cells that still look much like normal neuroendocrine cells. Doctors often abbreviate it as NET. These tumors can start in many organs, including the pancreas, the digestive tract, and the lungs. Many grow slowly, but some grow faster, and some spread to other parts …
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A poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma is a type of cancer made up of specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells normally produce hormones and are found throughout the body, including the lungs, digestive tract, and many other organs. The term “poorly differentiated” means the cancer cells look very abnormal compared to healthy neuroendocrine cells. Because …
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Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a type of cancer composed of cells that exhibit features of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells, also known as neuroendocrine cells. These cancers are considered high-grade tumours, which means they tend to grow quickly and may spread to other parts of the body. Neuroendocrine carcinomas can start in many different …
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A neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a type of cancer that starts from neuroendocrine cells. These are specialized cells with features of both nerve cells and hormone-producing cells that help regulate important body functions by releasing hormones in response to signals from the nervous system. Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout the body, which means neuroendocrine tumors …
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In a pathology report, the term nuclear atypia is used to describe cells that have abnormal-looking nuclei when examined under a microscope. The nucleus is the part of the cell that contains its genetic material (DNA) and controls how the cell functions. Pathologists use the word “atypia” to mean that something looks unusual or different …
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