Hepatocytes are the main type of cell that make up the liver. They are responsible for many important functions, including storing energy, making proteins, and breaking down toxins. A ballooning hepatocyte is a damaged liver cell that has swollen to several times its normal size. Pathologists use the word “ballooning” because the cell looks puffed …
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Fracture is the medical term used to describe a break in a bone. When a bone breaks, the muscles, and blood vessels around the broken bone are usually damaged as well. What causes a fracture? Most fractures are caused by trauma to the body as a result of high-impact force or stress. A pathologic fracture …
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What is a ganglion cyst? A ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous change, or cyst, within a joint or tendon that appears as soft, round lumps. These cysts are made up of small spaces filled with mucous fluid and are surrounded by thickened fibrous tissue. They are usually under three centimeters in size. Most ganglion cysts …
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A sessile serrated lesion is a type of polyp — a small precancerous growth that develops on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. It is not cancer, but it can develop into cancer over time if left in place. Most sessile serrated lesions are detected and removed during a routine colonoscopy, and removal …
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Keratinizing squamous dysplasia is a precancerous condition affecting the lining of the oral cavity. It develops in squamous cells — the flat cells that normally form the surface layer of the mouth’s lining — when they start to grow and mature abnormally. One of its defining features is the excess production of keratin, a tough …
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A plasmacytoma is a tumor made up of plasma cells, a type of immune cell that lives in the bone marrow and makes antibodies (immunoglobulins) to help fight infections. In a plasmacytoma, these plasma cells grow abnormally and form a single tumor or mass. When the tumor forms inside a bone, it is called a …
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What is the Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS)? Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) is a tool that doctors use to predict the behaviour of a pheochromocytoma. A score of 3 or less means that the tumour is likely to behave in a non-cancerous manner and is cured by surgery …
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What is the PASS score? The PASS (Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score) is a tool that doctors use to predict the behaviour of a tumour called pheochromocytoma. A score of 3 or less means that the tumour is likely to behave in a non-cancerous manner and is cured by surgery alone. In contrast, …
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Cholestasis is a condition in which the flow of bile is reduced or blocked. Bile is a fluid made by the liver that helps digest fats and remove waste products from the body. When bile cannot flow normally, it accumulates in the liver and bloodstream, leading to symptoms and damage to liver cells over time. …
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What is an autoimmune disease? The immune system is designed to protect our body from infections and to help it heal after an injury. An autoimmune disease is a condition that develops when the immune system inappropriately damages normal, healthy tissue in the body. The damage can be caused directly by immune cells or specialized …
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