Salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP) is a descriptive diagnosis used by pathologists when a tumor is found in a salivary gland but there is not enough information to determine whether it is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). It does not refer to a single disease but rather to a range of possible …
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Mesothelial proliferation is a term used by pathologists to describe an increase in the number of mesothelial cells. Mesothelial cells form a thin layer that lines the membranes around the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium), and testis (tunica vaginalis). A mesothelial proliferation can be benign (noncancerous) or, less commonly, part of a malignant (cancerous) process …
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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. In BilIN, the abnormal cells are confined to the inner surface of the duct or gallbladder and have not invaded deeper tissues. Because BilIN can only be seen under the microscope, it is not …
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