Pathologists use the term spongiotic to describe tissue (usually skin) where fluid has built up between specialized cells called squamous cells, causing them to appear separated or pushed apart. Normally, squamous cells stick tightly together, forming a strong barrier on your skin or the lining of your mouth. When fluid separates these cells, the affected area looks …
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Signet ring cells are abnormal cells seen in certain types of cancer. They get their name from their shape: each cell is filled with a substance called mucin, which pushes the cell’s nucleus (the part that holds genetic material) to the side, creating an appearance similar to a ring with a gemstone. Unlike most other types …
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Stroma is the supporting connective tissue found just beneath the surface of an organ. It forms the framework that helps hold the organ together and provides strength, structure, and support. Stroma contains several types of cells, including fibroblasts, long, thin cells often described as spindle-shaped. Stroma also contains blood vessels, which deliver oxygen and nutrients, …
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Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts from squamous cells, which are flat, thin cells found on the surface of the skin and lining many internal body parts, such as the mouth, throat, lungs, and cervix. It occurs when these squamous cells grow uncontrollably, forming a malignant (cancerous) tumor that can invade …
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A stoma is a surgically created opening that connects an internal organ to the outside of the body. It allows air, fluid, or waste to leave the body in a new way when the normal pathway is blocked, damaged, or removed. A stoma may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medical condition. When a …
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A sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the body’s connective tissues. These tissues support and hold the body together and include bone, muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and fibrous tissue (the tissue that gives structure and strength to organs). Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, sarcomas can begin almost anywhere. …
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The progesterone receptor (PR) is a special type of protein found inside certain cells in the body. It belongs to a group of proteins called nuclear hormone receptors, which control how cells respond to hormones. Progesterone receptors specifically respond to the hormone progesterone, which plays a vital role in reproductive health, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and …
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In pathology, poorly differentiated is a term used to describe how cancer cells look under a microscope. When cells are poorly differentiated, they appear very different from normal cells in the body. Normal cells are well-organized and have specific structures, but poorly differentiated cells lose these typical features, making it hard to tell where they …
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A prognosis is a doctor’s best estimate of how a disease might progress and your likelihood of recovery. Doctors commonly discuss prognosis with patients after diagnosing cancer, although the term can apply to any medical condition. If a disease is expected to respond well to treatment and is likely to be cured, it’s usually described …
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In pathology, the term precursor is used to describe any non-cancerous condition that has the potential to turn into cancer over time. Precursor diseases can be caused by viruses, genetic changes, or environmental factors such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. The chance that a precursor will eventually turn into cancer depends on many factors …
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