pathology report

Mixed Neuroendocrine Non-Neuroendocrine Neoplasm of the Appendix: Understanding Your Pathology Report

A mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is a rare type of appendix cancer that contains two different components: A neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) or neuroendocrine tumor (NET), which comes from hormone-producing neuroendocrine cells. A non-neuroendocrine carcinoma, usually an adenocarcinoma (a cancer that develops from gland-forming cells). For a tumor to be called MiNEN, each component must …
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Your pathology report for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the appendix

A poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a rare and aggressive type of appendix cancer. It begins with neuroendocrine cells in the appendix, which normally help regulate digestion by releasing hormones in response to signals from the nervous system. Unlike well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), which are slow-growing and often discovered by chance, poorly differentiated NECs …
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What is an excisional biopsy?

An excisional biopsy is a type of surgical procedure in which the entire abnormal area of tissue is removed so it can be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. Unlike other types of biopsies that only take a small sample, an excisional biopsy removes the whole lump, lesion, or suspicious area. This enables the …
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Metaplastic Carcinoma of the Breast: Understanding Your Pathology Report

Metaplastic carcinoma is a rare type of breast cancer that makes up less than 1% of all invasive breast cancers. It develops when breast cancer cells change their appearance and begin to resemble other cell types, such as flat squamous cells, elongated spindle cells resembling connective tissue, or even cartilage- or bone-like cells. Because of this variety, pathologists describe …
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Hallmark Cells: Definition

Hallmark cells are a distinctive type of abnormal cell seen under the microscope in a cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). These cells are a clue that helps pathologists recognize and diagnose this disease. What do hallmark cells look like? Hallmark cells are large and have a very characteristic appearance. Their nuclei, which are …
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Atypical Lymphoid Infiltrate: Understanding Your Pathology Report

Atypical lymphoid infiltrate is a descriptive, often preliminary diagnosis. Atypical means that the cells do not look normal (hence they are not typical or usual), but they are also not clearly cancerous. Lymphoid refers to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. It means the biopsy shows an …
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Papillae: Definition

Papillae are small, finger-like projections of tissue that can be seen in many different parts of the body. Each papilla has a central core, usually made of connective tissue and small blood vessels, and is covered on the outside by a layer of cells. Papillae are a normal structure in certain organs, but they can …
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What is high risk HPV?

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common virus that can infect the skin and mucous membranes of the body. There are more than 100 different types of HPV. Some types are considered low-risk and cause conditions like genital warts. Others are called high-risk HPV because they can cause cancer. High-risk HPV infections can affect …
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HPV Test: Definition

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: Definition

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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