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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MLH1 is a gene that produces a protein involved in DNA repair, specifically in a process called mismatch repair. This protein works closely with other mismatch repair proteins, including PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6, to detect and fix small errors that occur when DNA is copied in dividing cells. Together, these proteins play an important role …
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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 rearrangement refers to a change in the DNA structure within a cell. DNA is usually organized into long strands called chromosomes, each containing many genes. A rearrangement happens when a piece of a chromosome breaks off and attaches somewhere else, either on the same chromosome or another chromosome. …
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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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ERG is a protein found in the cells of certain tissues in the body. It is a transcription factor, which means it helps control how specific genes are turned on or off inside the cell. ERG is involved in the normal development of blood vessels and plays a role in the growth of certain types …
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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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Lipoblasts are immature fat cells involved in the development of normal fat tissue. They are still growing and maturing but have not yet developed into fully formed fat cells, known as adipocytes. Lipoblasts play an important role in forming fat tissue in the body and can also be seen in some types of tumors. Where are …
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