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 made by certain types of cells throughout the body. It belongs to a group of proteins called transcription factors, which control how cells turn specific genes on or off. By regulating genes, ERG plays a key role in developing and maintaining healthy blood vessels and can influence the growth of certain …
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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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Comedonecrosis is a term pathologists use to describe a specific type of cell death (necrosis) found in certain cancers. It occurs when cancer cells in the center of a tumour grow rapidly but outgrow their blood supply. Without enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients, these cells die, forming an area of dead cells and debris. This …
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In pathology, dedifferentiation describes a process where mature, specialized cells change back (revert) to a less specialized, more primitive form. This is commonly seen in cancer, where tumour cells that were initially more mature and less aggressive become less mature and more aggressive. When cells become dedifferentiated, they tend to grow more rapidly and lose …
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Amyloid is a type of abnormal protein that can accumulate in tissues and organs. Unlike normal proteins, amyloid proteins fold into an unusual shape, forming clumps or fibrils that can interfere with the normal function of tissues and organs. What is the significance of finding amyloid in a tissue sample? The presence of amyloid in …
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The term fibromyxoid tumour is not a final diagnosis but a descriptive term that pathologists sometimes use when looking at tissue under the microscope. It refers to tumours made up of a mix of fibrous tissue (tough, scar-like tissue) and myxoid tissue (a gelatin-like material). These tumours can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They …
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Lymphoblasts are immature cells that develop into lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that is integral to the immune system. They are part of the body’s adaptive immune response, responsible for fighting infections and providing long-term immunity. Where are lymphoblasts normally found? Lymphoblasts are primarily found in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy center …
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