pathology

About Osler

Learn more about Osler Osler is a virtual guide trained on the trusted, expert-written information from MyPathologyReport.com. Osler’s purpose is simple: to help you understand the words and concepts found in your pathology report in clear, supportive, and easy-to-understand language. Osler is not a doctor and cannot give medical advice, but Osler can help make …
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Understanding Your Colonoscopy Biopsy Report

A colonoscopy is the most common procedure for examining the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum. During a colonoscopy, your doctor may remove tissue samples or entire growths from the lining of the colon and send them to a pathology laboratory for examination. The resulting pathology report describes what was found and can …
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What is triple-negative breast cancer?

Triple-negative breast cancer is a term used to describe breast cancers that do not show expression of three common markers: Estrogen receptor (ER). Progesterone receptor (PR). HER2 (also called ERBB2). These three markers are important because they are often used to guide treatment. Breast cancers that are ER-positive, PR-positive, or HER2-positive can be treated with …
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Epidermis: Definition

The epidermis is the thin, outermost layer of your skin. It acts as a protective shield between your body and the outside world. Although it is only about as thick as a sheet of paper in most places, the epidermis plays a crucial role in preventing harmful germs, chemicals, and physical forces from damaging your …
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Contaminant: Definition

In pathology, a contaminant refers to tissue or cells that mistakenly become included within a patient’s tissue sample during the laboratory process. Unlike a floater, which accidentally appears only on a microscope slide, a contaminant is embedded directly into the patient’s paraffin tissue block. As a result, contaminants repeatedly appear each time additional slides (recuts) …
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Floater: Definition

In pathology, a floater refers to a small piece of tissue or cells seen on a microscope slide that does not belong to the patient’s original specimen. Floaters typically occur by accident during the preparation of slides in the pathology laboratory. For example, they can happen when tiny fragments of tissue from one sample inadvertently …
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What is nonviable?

In pathology, the term “nonviable” describes tissue or cells that are no longer alive or able to function normally. Nonviable tissue cannot be accurately examined or tested because it has become damaged or has died, meaning pathologists cannot reliably interpret results from it. What could cause a sample to be nonviable? A sample may become …
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Your pathology report for neuroendocrine tumor of the larynx

A neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the larynx (also known as a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor) is a rare type of cancer that develops from specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells, which release hormones into the blood in response to signals from the nervous system. These tumors occur in the larynx (voice box), the structure in your …
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What is keratinizing?

Keratinizing refers to a process in which squamous cells produce large amounts of a protein called keratin. Keratin is a tough, protective substance that makes tissues more resistant to injury, infection, and dehydration. As squamous cells become keratinizing, they gradually lose their ability to function as living cells. Instead, they form a strong outer layer …
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