The HPV test is a laboratory test that looks for evidence of infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that can infect the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and throat. Most HPV infections clear on their own, but some types of HPV can cause cancer, especially cervical cancer. The HPV …
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MLH1 promoter methylation is a change that affects the way the MLH1 gene is switched on and off. The MLH1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that repairs mistakes in DNA. When the promoter region of the gene (the “on–off switch”) becomes abnormally methylated, the MLH1 gene is turned off. As a result, the …
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Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) is a rare and aggressive type of cervical cancer. It develops from small sized cancer cells that exhibit features of neuroendocrine differentiation, meaning they behave like hormone-producing cells typically found in the body. Because it is a high-grade cancer, SCNEC tends to grow quickly and spread early. This tumor can …
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Nephroblastoma, also called Wilms tumor, is a type of cancer that starts in the kidney. It is the most common kidney cancer in children. The tumor develops from early kidney cells called nephrogenic blastema, which normally form during development in the womb. Under the microscope, nephroblastoma looks similar to a developing kidney. How common is …
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POLD1 is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called DNA polymerase delta. This protein works together with other DNA polymerases, including POLE, to copy DNA when cells divide. Like POLE, POLD1 has a proofreading function that helps correct mistakes during DNA replication. This proofreading keeps the genetic code accurate and prevents harmful …
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POLE is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called DNA polymerase epsilon. This protein is very important because it helps copy DNA when cells divide. It also has a special function called proofreading, which works like a spell-checker to make sure mistakes in DNA are fixed. When POLE is working normally, it …
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FOLR1 is a gene that provides the instructions for making a protein called folate receptor alpha. This protein is found on the surface of specific cells and helps transport folate, a type of vitamin B (also known as vitamin B9), into the cell. Folate is essential because it enables cells to make DNA and RNA, …
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Platelets are tiny cell fragments in the blood that help stop bleeding. They are also called thrombocytes. Unlike red and white blood cells, platelets are not complete cells. Instead, they are small pieces of larger bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. Under the microscope, platelets look much smaller than red or white blood cells and often …
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A bone marrow aspiration is a medical procedure in which a small amount of liquid bone marrow is removed using a thin needle and suction. The sample is then spread onto glass slides so that the individual cells can be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. Because the aspiration provides a detailed look at …
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A trephine biopsy is a medical procedure used to take a small, solid piece of bone marrow tissue so that it can be examined under a microscope. The bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones where most blood cells are made. Pathologists use the sample from a trephine biopsy to see how the …
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