A supratentorial ependymoma is a brain tumour composed of ependymal cells, which normally line the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. “Supratentorial” means the tumour is above the tentorium, the membrane that separates the upper brain (cerebrum) from the lower back part of the brain (cerebellum and brainstem). …
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A spinal cord ependymoma is a type of spinal cord tumour made up of ependymal cells, which normally line the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain and spinal cord. These tumours grow within the spinal cord itself (intramedullary) and can occur anywhere along its length, although they are most often found in the cervical (neck) or …
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A posterior fossa ependymoma is a type of brain tumour that starts from ependymal cells, which normally line the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain and spinal cord. The posterior fossa is the lower back part of the skull that contains the cerebellum (which controls balance) and the brainstem (which connects the brain to the spinal …
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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow make a small amount of a single type of antibody, called a monoclonal protein or M-protein. MGUS is not necessarily cancer, but it is considered a precursor (early stage) in the spectrum of plasma cell disorders. It …
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Multiple myeloma (also called plasma cell myeloma) is a type of blood cancer that starts from plasma cells, a kind of white blood cell that lives in the bone marrow and makes antibodies (immunoglobulins) to help fight infections. In multiple myeloma, a group of abnormal plasma cells grows uncontrollably inside the bone marrow. Sometimes these …
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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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