A gastrointestinal stromal tumour, or GIST, is a type of cancer that starts in the digestive tract. The most common places for GISTs to develop are the stomach and small intestine, but they can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. GISTs are different from other types of tumours because they start in special cells called …
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What is a hyperplastic polyp in the stomach? A hyperplastic polyp is a non-cancerous growth that develops from the tissue that lines the inside of the stomach. Another name for this growth is an inflammatory polyp. What causes a hyperplastic polyp in the stomach? Most hyperplastic polyps in the stomach are associated with a condition …
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What is autoimmune hepatitis? Autoimmune hepatitis is a type of autoimmune liver disease. It is caused by immune cells attacking and damaging the specialized hepatocytes in the liver. It occurs in all ages and is seen in women three to four times more often than in men. What are the symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis? The …
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Atrophic endometrium is a term used to describe endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus) that is smaller, thinner, and less active than normal. This is a benign change, meaning it is not cancer. Atrophy is a natural process that occurs when the endometrium is no longer stimulated by estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that …
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Acute appendicitis means sudden inflammation of the appendix, a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the first part of the large intestine (colon). In most people, the appendix is located in the lower right side of the abdomen, just above the hip bone. Acute appendicitis is a common condition and can affect people of all ages, …
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Actinic keratosis (AK) is a pre-cancerous skin condition caused by long-term damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It is considered pre-cancerous because, over time, some actinic keratoses can progress into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis is made up of abnormal skin cells called keratinocytes, which are found in the top …
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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It develops from basal cells, which are found in the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) and in hair follicles. While different types of basal cell carcinoma have unique appearances under the microscope and on the skin, they share similar causes and …
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Disordered proliferative endometrium is a non-cancerous change that affects the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus. It develops when the endometrium is repeatedly exposed to estrogen without the balancing effect of progesterone. Under the microscope, the glands in the endometrium look irregular and disorganized, but the changes are not considered precancerous. If …
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A dermatofibroma, also called a benign fibrous histiocytoma, is a very common non-cancerous skin tumour. It develops from the dermis, the thick layer of connective tissue just below the surface of the skin. Dermatofibromas usually appear as small, firm bumps that may feel hard to the touch. They are most often found on the arms, …
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A congenital nevus is a common, non-cancerous skin tumour made up of melanocytes, cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. Congenital nevi (the plural of nevus) are usually present at birth or develop within the first year of life, which is why they are called “congenital.” Another name for this …
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