In pathology, the term malignant transformation describes the development of a malignant (cancerous) tumour from a benign (noncancerous) tumour or a precancerous disease. Malignant transformation is important because the cells in the malignant tumour can grow into nearby tissues and metastasize (spread) to distant organs such as lymph nodes and the lungs. Common conditions that …
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Hyalinizing trabecular tumor (HTT) is an uncommon thyroid tumor that arises from follicular cells, the cells in the thyroid gland that normally produce thyroid hormone. The current World Health Organization (WHO) classification, published in 2022, lists HTT as a benign thyroid neoplasm. The older name, hyalinizing trabecular adenoma, may still appear on some pathology reports and …
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Cystic degeneration refers to a process where tissue undergoes changes that result in the formation of fluid-filled structures called cysts. This change develops when the tissue starts to break down or degenerate for various reasons. Cystic degeneration can be caused by several factors, depending on the tissue or organ involved: Aging: As tissues age, they …
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The Ki-67 labeling index is a number that tells doctors what percentage of cells in a tissue sample are actively dividing. It is based on a test for Ki-67, a protein that appears in the nucleus of cells when they prepare to divide. Cells that are resting and not dividing do not show Ki-67. By …
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Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare, slow-growing cancer that develops in the body’s deep soft tissues. It is a type of sarcoma, a cancer that begins in the body’s connective tissues. It is also called Evans tumor, after the pathologist who first described it in 1987. LGFMS makes up less than 1% of all …
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Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare cancer that develops in the body’s deep soft tissues, such as muscle. It is a type of sarcoma, a cancer that begins in the body’s connective tissues. ASPS makes up less than 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Despite its name, alveolar soft part sarcoma does not …
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An odontogenic cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled growth that develops within the bones of the jaw — the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). The word “odontogenic” means “tooth-producing”: these cysts arise from cells originally involved in tooth development. Most odontogenic cysts are benign and grow slowly, but they can become large enough …
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Invasive adenocarcinoma of the rectum (also known as rectal adenocarcinoma) is the most common type of rectal cancer. It is made up of cells that normally cover the inside surface of the rectum. This type of cancer often starts in a polyp such as a tubular adenoma, tubulovillous adenoma, or villous adenoma. This article will help …
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Schistocytes are small, fragmented pieces of red blood cells (RBCs) that can be seen circulating in the blood. Normally, red blood cells have a smooth, round shape, but schistocytes appear broken or irregular. These fragmented cells are created when red blood cells pass through damaged or narrowed blood vessels and become damaged themselves. Why are …
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Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a term used to describe the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after cancer treatment. These cells have the potential to cause relapse in patients. MRD testing can help doctors determine how well the treatment worked, the risk of developing recurrent disease (relapse), and if further …
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