Atrophy (or atrophic) refers to the shrinking or loss of tissue in an organ or part of the body. This change is benign (non-cancerous). It describes how the tissue looks when examined under a microscope rather than being a specific medical diagnosis. What causes atrophy? Atrophy of tissue can occur for several reasons, including: Decreased …
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An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels made up of arteries and veins. In a normal circulatory system, blood flows from the heart through arteries, into tiny capillaries that supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and then back to the heart through veins. In an AVM, the blood flows directly from …
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A frozen section is a test used in pathology to provide a quick diagnosis of a tissue sample during surgery. It is called a “frozen section” because the tissue is rapidly frozen soon after it is removed from the body. This technique allows pathologists to examine the tissue under a microscope to identify disease, often …
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Signet ring cells are abnormal cells seen in certain types of cancer. They get their name from their shape: each cell is filled with a substance called mucin, which pushes the cell’s nucleus (the part that holds genetic material) to the side, creating an appearance similar to a ring with a gemstone. Unlike most other types …
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Squamous cells are flat, thin cells that form the outermost layer of your skin and line the surfaces of various organs inside your body. Their flattened, scale-like shape provides an effective protective barrier for the tissues underneath. Where are squamous cells normally found? Squamous cells cover many body surfaces, both externally and internally. They make …
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Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts from squamous cells, which are flat, thin cells found on the surface of the skin and lining many internal body parts, such as the mouth, throat, lungs, and cervix. It occurs when these squamous cells grow uncontrollably, forming a malignant (cancerous) tumor that can invade …
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In pathology, poorly differentiated is a term used to describe how cancer cells look under a microscope. When cells are poorly differentiated, they appear very different from normal cells in the body. Normal cells are well-organized and have specific structures, but poorly differentiated cells lose these typical features, making it hard to tell where they …
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In pathology, the term precursor is used to describe any non-cancerous condition that has the potential to turn into cancer over time. Precursor diseases can be caused by viruses, genetic changes, or environmental factors such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. The chance that a precursor will eventually turn into cancer depends on many factors …
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Perineural invasion (PNI) is used to describe tumour cells in the space around a nerve. It is usually only seen in malignant (cancerous) tumours and used by pathologists as evidence that a tumour is malignant. PNI is important because the tumour cells can use the nerve to spread into surrounding tissues. This increases the risk …
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Definition: Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell (WBC) and part of the body’s immune system. They are part of a group of immune cells called lymphocytes. Plasma cells produce proteins called immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) that protect our body by sticking to bacteria and viruses. Antibodies can also stick to abnormal …
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