A kappa light chain is one of the two types of light chains, a small piece that forms part of every antibody. Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, are proteins made by B cells and plasma cells to fight infection. Each antibody contains either two kappa light chains or two lambda light chains, never a mix. Pathologists …
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Chondrosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that forms from cartilage. Cartilage is the firm, smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints and gives shape to the ear and nose. In chondrosarcoma, the cancer cells produce cartilage instead of bone. Chondrosarcoma is one of the most common bone cancers in adults. It …
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CD79a is a protein found in B cells, a type of white blood cell that makes antibodies. It forms part of the receptor that B cells use to recognize germs. Pathologists test for CD79a to confirm that the cells in a lymphoma or leukemia are B cells. It is especially useful in tumors that have …
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MUM1 is a protein that helps control how certain immune cells mature. It is found in plasma cells, which make antibodies, and in B cells that are close to becoming plasma cells. Pathologists test for MUM1 to help classify lymphomas and plasma cell tumors. MUM1 is also called IRF4, the name of the gene that …
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Brachyury is a protein that helps control how the body develops before birth. It is made by the notochord, a rod of cells in the early embryo that guides the formation of the spine. Pathologists test for brachyury to help diagnose chordoma, a rare cancer that develops from leftover notochord cells. The gene that makes …
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H3K27me3 is a chemical tag found on histones, the proteins that DNA wraps around inside the nucleus of every cell. The tag helps keep certain genes switched off. Pathologists test for H3K27me3 to help diagnose some tumors of the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. In these tumors, the tag is often missing, and pathologists call …
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An osteoclast is a large cell that breaks down bone. Osteoclasts work together with osteoblasts, the cells that build new bone. By removing old bone while osteoblasts lay down new bone, they keep the skeleton strong and allow it to repair itself. Each osteoclast contains many nuclei, which makes it one of the largest cells …
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Chondromyxoid is a word pathologists use to describe tissue that looks partly like cartilage and partly like loose, jelly-like material. “Chondro” refers to cartilage, and “myxoid” describes a soft, watery background that resembles mucus. Chondromyxoid tissue is most often described in tumors of the salivary glands, bones, and soft tissue. Chondromyxoid is a description of …
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Fibrous dysplasia is a noncancerous condition in which part of a bone develops abnormally. Instead of normal, solid bone, the affected area consists of soft fibrous tissue with small, weak, irregular pieces of bone. This can weaken the bone so that it may bend, break, or change shape. Fibrous dysplasia can affect a single bone …
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A fibro-osseous lesion is a growth made of fibrous tissue that contains small pieces of new bone. “Fibro” refers to the fibrous tissue, and “osseous” means bone. Most fibro-osseous lesions start inside a bone, especially the bones of the jaw and face. They can also be found in soft tissue. This happens when the lesion …
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