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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What is a blood culture? A blood culture is a laboratory test performed to look for microorganisms such as bacteria or fungus in your blood. Why is a blood culture test performed? Healthcare professionals perform a blood culture test when they have reason to believe that a person may have microorganisms, such as bacteria or …
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Salivary duct carcinoma is a cancer that starts in the salivary glands. The salivary glands are small organs that produce saliva to help chew, swallow, and digest food. This cancer is considered rare and tends to grow more aggressively than other types of salivary gland cancers. Salivary duct carcinoma commonly affects the parotid gland, the …
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A xanthoma is a type of growth that forms under the skin or in other tissues of the body. It is made up of fat-filled cells called foamy histiocytes, which are a type of immune cell that has absorbed fat. Xanthomas can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the skin. …
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