Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix is a type of cancer that starts in the gland-forming cells that line the appendix. These cancer cells produce large amounts of mucin, a thick, jelly-like material. Unlike low-grade mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) and high-grade mucinous neoplasms (HAMNs), mucinous adenocarcinoma shows destructive invasion, meaning the tumor grows aggressively into the wall …
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A high-grade mucinous neoplasm of the appendix (HAMN) is a tumor made up of mucin-producing cells that line the inside of the appendix. Like low-grade mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs), HAMNs produce large amounts of mucin, which can cause the appendix to enlarge or rupture. However, unlike LAMNs, HAMN cells exhibit high-grade features under the microscope. This …
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Non-ampullary adenocarcinoma of the duodenum is a type of cancer that starts in the gland-forming cells that line the inside surface of the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine located just beyond the stomach. The duodenum plays an important role in digestion by mixing food with stomach acid, bile, and pancreatic …
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A focus score is a measurement used by pathologists to describe the amount of inflammation seen in a minor salivary gland biopsy. It is most commonly used when doctors are evaluating for Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands. The focus score quantifies the number of immune cell clusters present in the tissue …
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The term lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) describes a group of conditions in which lymphocytes—a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections—grow or multiply beyond normal levels. Lymphocytes include B cells, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. These cells normally protect the body by recognizing and destroying viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells. In a …
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A supratentorial ependymoma is a brain tumour composed of ependymal cells, which normally line the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. “Supratentorial” means the tumour is above the tentorium, the membrane that separates the upper brain (cerebrum) from the lower back part of the brain (cerebellum and brainstem). …
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A spinal cord ependymoma is a type of spinal cord tumour made up of ependymal cells, which normally line the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain and spinal cord. These tumours grow within the spinal cord itself (intramedullary) and can occur anywhere along its length, although they are most often found in the cervical (neck) or …
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A posterior fossa ependymoma is a type of brain tumour that starts from ependymal cells, which normally line the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain and spinal cord. The posterior fossa is the lower back part of the skull that contains the cerebellum (which controls balance) and the brainstem (which connects the brain to the spinal …
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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow make a small amount of a single type of antibody, called a monoclonal protein or M-protein. MGUS is not necessarily cancer, but it is considered a precursor (early stage) in the spectrum of plasma cell disorders. It …
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Multiple myeloma (also called plasma cell myeloma) is a type of blood cancer that starts from plasma cells, a kind of white blood cell that lives in the bone marrow and makes antibodies (immunoglobulins) to help fight infections. In multiple myeloma, a group of abnormal plasma cells grows uncontrollably inside the bone marrow. Sometimes these …
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