foamy histiocytes

Your pathology report for xanthelasma

Xanthelasma (pronounced zan-the-las-ma) is a non-cancerous growth that appears as a soft, yellowish patch on the skin around the eyes, most often on the eyelids. These growths are composed of special immune cells called histiocytes that have become filled with fat (lipids). Because xanthelasma is harmless, it does not spread or turn into cancer. However, its …
Read More »

Foamy histiocytes

Histiocytes are a type of immune cell. They help the body heal after an injury or infection by removing dead cells, blood, micro-organisms (such as bacteria and fungus), and foreign material from the body. Foamy is a term pathologists use to describe histiocytes that are full of waste removed from the surrounding tissue. Pathologists commonly …
Read More »

A+ A A-