Mesothelial hyperplasia is a noncancerous condition in which the cells that line the membranes around the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testis—called mesothelial cells—begin to grow or multiply more than usual. These membranes are known as the pleura (around the lungs), peritoneum (around the abdominal organs), pericardium (around the heart), and tunica vaginalis (around the testis). …
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The term atypical mesothelial proliferation is used when a pathologist sees mesothelial cells—the cells that line the membranes covering the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium), or testis (tunica vaginalis)—that look abnormal (atypical) under the microscope. This finding means that the pathologist sees some worrisome changes in how the mesothelial cells look or grow, but …
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Endometrial glands are tiny tube-shaped structures that make up part of the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus. These glands are made of epithelial cells that produce mucus and other fluids to help prepare the uterus for pregnancy. The spaces between the glands are filled with a supporting tissue called the stroma, …
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A tumor of uncertain malignant potential is a type of growth that cannot be clearly classified as either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) after microscopic examination. In most cases, these tumors behave in a noncancerous way, but because they show some worrisome features, doctors cannot rule out the possibility that they might act more aggressively. …
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A borderline tumor is a type of growth that shows features between benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous). These tumors usually grow slowly and do not spread to distant parts of the body, but they may invade nearby tissue or come back (recur) after removal. The term borderline in this situation is used to describe the …
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Glomangiopericytoma is a rare type of tumor that develops in the soft tissues of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, which are the hollow spaces around the nose. It typically behaves in a noncancerous manner, growing slowly and remaining confined to the area where it started. However, in rare cases, it can act more aggressively, …
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A fibroepithelial lesion is a term pathologists use to describe a group of breast tumors that contain both epithelial cells (cells that line breast ducts) and stromal cells (the connective tissue that supports the ducts). This is not a final diagnosis. Instead, it is used when the tissue sample from a biopsy is too small …
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Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN) is a precancerous change in the thin layer of cells that line the gallbladder and bile ducts. The abnormal cells are confined to the inner surface and have not yet invaded deeper tissues. Because it is microscopic, BilIN cannot be seen with the naked eye and is usually only discovered when …
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Adenocarcinoma is a type of gallbladder cancer that starts in glandular cells. These cells normally produce bile and line the inner surface of the gallbladder. In adenocarcinoma, the cells grow in an abnormal and uncontrolled way, invading deeper layers of the gallbladder wall and sometimes spreading to nearby lymph nodes or organs. Symptoms Gallbladder adenocarcinoma …
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Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a treatment that removes abnormal tissue from the cervix using a thin wire loop that carries an electrical current. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. LEEP is both a treatment and a method for obtaining tissue for microscopic examination. Why is …
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