A frozen section is a test used in pathology to provide a quick diagnosis of a tissue sample during surgery. It is called a “frozen section” because the tissue is rapidly frozen soon after it is removed from the body. This technique allows pathologists to examine the tissue under a microscope to identify disease, often …
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The gross description in a pathology report is an important section that provides a detailed description of the physical characteristics of the specimen received by the pathology lab before it undergoes any microscopic examination. This description is “gross” in that it relates to what can be observed with the naked eye, without the aid of …
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Invasive melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing pigment in the skin. Unlike some other forms of skin cancer, invasive melanoma can grow deeper into the skin and spread to other parts of the body if not treated early. It is the most serious form …
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Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for approximately 80 percent of all cases. It starts in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland, which normally produce thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck that plays an important role in regulating metabolism. The …
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Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. It originates from epithelial cells lining the ducts of the breast and spreads into the surrounding breast tissue. If not treated, invasive ductal carcinoma can spread to other body parts, such as the lymph nodes, bones, and lungs. Another name for this type of …
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In pathology, the term undifferentiated is used to describe a malignant (cancerous) tumour made up of cells that look nothing like normal, healthy cells. The degree of differentiation is important because it is used to determine the tumour grade and all undifferentiated tumours are considered high grade. In contrast, well differentiated tumours are considered low grade. …
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Viral cytopathic effects are changes that take place in a cell after it has been infected by a virus. These changes can only be seen after the tissue is examined under a microscope. These changes can involve the shape and size of the cell. They can also involve a part of the cell called the …
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Urothelial cells, also known as transitional cells, line the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, ureters, urethra, and part of the kidney. These cells form a specialized barrier called the urothelium that prevents urine from penetrating the underlying tissues. They can also expand and contract based on the volume of urine present, which reflects their …
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Spongiosis is a term pathologists use to describe a specific change seen in the outer layer of your skin or the lining of your mouth. Normally, these areas are covered by specialized cells called squamous cells, which stick tightly together to form a protective barrier. Spongiosis occurs when these cells become separated or pushed apart …
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In pathology, the term spindle cells is used to describe cells that are longer than they are wide. They are found both in normal, healthy tissue and in tumours. The most common type of normal spindle cell is called a fibroblast. Fibroblasts are support cells that are found in a type of connective tissue called …
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