A myofibroblastic lesion (also called a myofibroblastic proliferation) is a descriptive term used when a tissue sample contains an increased number of myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are specialized cells that share features of fibroblasts (cells that make connective tissue) and muscle cells (cells that can contract). Myofibroblasts normally appear during wound healing and tissue repair, where they …
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Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare type of blood cancer that develops from T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight infection and regulate immune responses. When ATLL mainly affects the blood and bone marrow, it behaves like a leukemia. When it grows as a solid mass in …
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Peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), is an aggressive blood cancer that starts in mature T cells — the white blood cells that normally coordinate immune responses, help fight infections, and regulate the immune system. The word “peripheral” does not mean the cancer is located at the edges of the body; it means …
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Actinic cheilitis is a precancerous condition that affects the lips, most commonly the lower lip. It develops after many years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, usually from sunlight. The lips are covered by a thin layer of skin and mucosa that is more sensitive to sun damage than other areas of the body. Over …
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Pathologists use the term atypical melanocytic proliferation to describe a skin growth composed of melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) that does not appear completely normal under the microscope. The growth shows some unusual or atypical features, but not all of the features needed to confidently call it benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). It is best thought of …
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A nevus (plural: nevi) is the medical term for a growth or spot on the skin that develops from melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin and hair their color. Most nevi are harmless and are commonly called moles, although the term nevus covers a wide range of pigmented and non-pigmented …
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Psoriasiform dermatitis is a term for a reactive pattern of skin changes that can result from several different underlying conditions. It is called psoriasiform because the changes resemble those seen in psoriasis. What are the symptoms of psoriasiform dermatitis? People with psoriasiform dermatitis often notice red patches of skin with a dry or flaky surface …
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Hydrosalpinx is a condition in which one or both fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus, become blocked and fill with a watery fluid. The term “hydro” means water, and “salpinx” refers to the fallopian tube. This fluid buildup can cause the fallopian tube to swell and sometimes interfere with fertility. What are …
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Squamous intraepithelial lesion is an abnormal growth caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). This condition affects the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that line certain areas of the body, including the cervix, vagina, vulva, and anus. Squamous intraepithelial lesion is considered a precancerous disease, meaning it has the potential to develop into …
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Poorly differentiated carcinoma is a type of cancer made up of cells that line the surfaces of organs. Differentiation refers to the degree to which cancer cells resemble normal cells from the tissue in which they originated. When cancer is poorly differentiated, the tumour cells have lost many of the normal structures and features, making …
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