H3K27me3 is a chemical tag found on histones, the proteins that DNA wraps around inside the nucleus of every cell. The tag helps keep certain genes switched off. Pathologists test for H3K27me3 to help diagnose some tumors of the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. In these tumors, the tag is often missing, and pathologists call …
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An osteoclast is a large cell that breaks down bone. Osteoclasts work together with osteoblasts, the cells that build new bone. By removing old bone while osteoblasts lay down new bone, they keep the skeleton strong and allow it to repair itself. Each osteoclast contains many nuclei, which makes it one of the largest cells …
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Chondromyxoid is a word pathologists use to describe tissue that looks partly like cartilage and partly like loose, jelly-like material. “Chondro” refers to cartilage, and “myxoid” describes a soft, watery background that resembles mucus. Chondromyxoid tissue is most often described in tumors of the salivary glands, bones, and soft tissue. Chondromyxoid is a description of …
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Fibrous dysplasia is a noncancerous condition in which part of a bone develops abnormally. Instead of normal, solid bone, the affected area consists of soft fibrous tissue with small, weak, irregular pieces of bone. This can weaken the bone so that it may bend, break, or change shape. Fibrous dysplasia can affect a single bone …
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A fibro-osseous lesion is a growth made of fibrous tissue that contains small pieces of new bone. “Fibro” refers to the fibrous tissue, and “osseous” means bone. Most fibro-osseous lesions start inside a bone, especially the bones of the jaw and face. They can also be found in soft tissue. This happens when the lesion …
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Floret-like cells are large cells with several nuclei arranged in a ring around the edge of the cell. The ring of nuclei looks like the petals of a small flower, or floret, which is how the cells got their name. They are a type of multinucleated giant cell. Floret-like cells describe what the pathologist saw …
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EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) is a protein found on the surface of many epithelial cells, the cells that line the surfaces and glands of the body. Pathologists test for EMA to help determine what type of cells make up a tumor. It is especially useful for identifying a few tumors that are not made of …
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RB1 is a gene that helps control when cells divide. It makes a protein called Rb (retinoblastoma protein). RB1 is a tumor suppressor gene, which means it normally acts as a brake on cell growth. When both copies of the gene stop working, cells can divide without control. RB1 is named after retinoblastoma, a rare …
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Melanin is the natural pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color. Cells called melanocytes make it, and they live in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Melanin also protects the skin by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Melanin is a normal part of the skin, not a diagnosis. IPathology reports often …
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An iron stain is a laboratory test that shows where iron is stored in a tissue sample. It colors iron bright blue so a pathologist can see it under the microscope. The most common iron stain is called Prussian blue, also known as the Perls stain. An iron stain is a special stain, not a …
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