The phrase positive for malignancy means that cancer cells were seen in the tissue or cell sample when it was examined under the microscope. In pathology, the term malignant is used to describe cancer, and positive means that something—in this case, cancer—was found. This phrase is commonly used in small tissue samples, such as core …
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In a pathology report, the word inadequate means that the sample taken was not good enough to provide a reliable diagnosis. This does not mean that something is necessarily wrong with the patient. Instead, it means that the pathologist did not have enough cells or tissue, or the material was too damaged, to make a …
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The phrase “limited for interpretation” means that the sample provided to the pathologist contained some information but not enough to make a full and confident diagnosis. Unlike “insufficient for diagnosis,” where almost no useful information is available, “limited for interpretation” means the pathologist was able to examine the material but found it difficult to reach …
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In a pathology report, the term non-diagnostic means that the pathologist was not able to make a diagnosis based on the tissue or sample that was provided. This result does not mean the sample is normal or healthy—it simply means that there was not enough information in the sample to make a clear conclusion. Non-diagnostic …
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The phrase “insufficient for diagnosis” means that the sample provided to the pathologist did not contain enough information to make a clear and reliable diagnosis. This does not mean that the disease or condition is absent. Instead, it means that the material collected was too limited, poorly preserved, or lacking the necessary cells or tissue …
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What is a chondroma? A chondroma is a non-cancerous tumour made up of cells normally found in cartilage called chondrocytes. They usually affect young and middle-aged adults. A closely related tumour that occurs inside the bone is called an enchondroma. Is a chondroma benign? Yes. All chondromas are benign (non-cancerous) tumours. Where are chondromas found …
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A dysplastic nevus — also called an atypical mole or an atypical melanocytic nevus — is a non-cancerous skin growth made up of melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin. Dysplastic nevi differ from common moles because the melanocytes are arranged in an irregular pattern and look slightly abnormal under the microscope. Despite these …
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What is chronic inactive gastritis? Chronic inactive gastritis means inflammation of the lining on the inside of the stomach. The inflammation prevents the stomach from functioning normally by damaging the specialized foveolar cells that cover the inside surface of the stomach. What is the difference between active and inactive chronic gastritis? Pathologists divide chronic gastritis …
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Hürthle cell carcinoma is a rare type of thyroid cancer that arises from follicular cells, which produce thyroid hormone. This tumour is composed mainly of Hürthle cells (also called oncocytic cells), which are larger than normal thyroid cells and appear pink and granular under the microscope because they contain many mitochondria. These structures produce energy …
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A Hurthle cell adenoma is a non-cancerous type of thyroid tumour. It is made up of large pink Hurthle cells that are separated from the normal thyroid tissue by a thin tissue barrier called a tumour capsule. The tumour often forms a lump in the thyroid gland called a nodule. What are the symptoms of …
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