Atrophy of the ovary means that the ovary becomes smaller than normal and loses its usual function and structure. This process involves a decrease in the number of healthy ovarian cells and a reduction in hormone production. Atrophy of the ovary is a normal part of aging and is most commonly seen around the time …
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What are periovarian adhesions? Periovarian adhesions are thin strips of non-cancerous tissue attached to the outer surface of the ovary. They are commonly seen when the ovary is examined under the microscope. A periovarian adhesion is a type of scar. It is made up of a type of connective tissue that pathologists describe as fibrotic …
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An enchondroma is a common non-cancerous type of bone tumour made up of cartilage. Enchondromas are usually found in the bones of the hands or feet, but they may occur in almost any bone in the body. They usually affect young and middle-aged adults. Although very rare, a small percentage (less than 1%) of all …
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Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are special immune cells that have moved from the bloodstream directly into a tumour. They are part of your body’s natural immune response, which aims to identify and attack cancer cells. Some cancer treatments, known as immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as PD-L1 inhibitors), work by helping these immune cells function better, preventing cancer …
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Breslow thickness (also called Breslow depth) is a measurement used by pathologists to describe how far cancer cells in invasive melanoma — a type of skin cancer that starts in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes — have grown into the skin. The measurement tells doctors the distance, in millimeters, from the skin surface to the deepest …
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Melanocytes are a type of cell found in the skin and other body parts. These cells produce melanin, the pigment that gives colour to your skin, hair, and eyes. Melanocytes play an important role in protecting your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. What is their function? The primary function of melanocytes …
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What is an inflammatory polyp in the stomach? An inflammatory polyp is a non-cancerous growth that develops from the tissue that lines the inside of the stomach. Another name for this growth is a hyperplastic polyp. What causes an inflammatory polyp? Most inflammatory polyps in the stomach are associated with a condition called chronic gastritis …
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Immature teratoma of the ovary is a rare type of malignant (cancerous) ovarian tumor. Despite sharing the word “teratoma” with the common, noncancerous mature teratoma (also called a dermoid cyst), an immature teratoma is a fundamentally different diagnosis — one that requires careful staging and, in many cases, treatment beyond surgery. The word “immature” refers …
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A benign Brenner tumor is a noncancerous growth that starts in the ovary. It is composed of nests of cells resembling the lining of the urinary tract, known as urothelial epithelium, surrounded by dense supportive tissue called stroma. Because this tumor is benign, it does not spread to other parts of the body and does …
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Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is a non-cancerous change that occurs in the small glands of the breast called terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). In FEA, the normal cells lining the glands are replaced by one or more layers of mildly abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are usually cuboidal or column-shaped and look similar to the …
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