pathology

What is triple-negative breast cancer?

Triple-negative breast cancer is a term used to describe breast cancers that do not show expression of three common markers: Estrogen receptor (ER). Progesterone receptor (PR). HER2 (also called ERBB2). These three markers are important because they are often used to guide treatment. Breast cancers that are ER-positive, PR-positive, or HER2-positive can be treated with …
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How to read a pathology report

A pathology report is a medical document created by a pathologist, who is a doctor specializing in diagnosing diseases through the examination of tissues, cells, and body fluids. This report details the findings from a specimen taken from your body and analyzed under a microscope or tested in a laboratory. The information in your pathology report …
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Epidermis

The epidermis is the thin, outermost layer of your skin. It acts as a protective shield between your body and the outside world. Although it is only about as thick as a sheet of paper in most places, the epidermis plays a crucial role in preventing harmful germs, chemicals, and physical forces from damaging your …
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Contaminant

In pathology, a contaminant refers to tissue or cells that mistakenly become included within a patient’s tissue sample during the laboratory process. Unlike a floater, which accidentally appears only on a microscope slide, a contaminant is embedded directly into the patient’s paraffin tissue block. As a result, contaminants repeatedly appear each time additional slides (recuts) …
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Floater

In pathology, a floater refers to a small piece of tissue or cells seen on a microscope slide that does not belong to the patient’s original specimen. Floaters typically occur by accident during the preparation of slides in the pathology laboratory. For example, they can happen when tiny fragments of tissue from one sample inadvertently …
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Nonviable

In pathology, the term “nonviable” describes tissue or cells that are no longer alive or able to function normally. Nonviable tissue cannot be accurately examined or tested because it has become damaged or has died, meaning pathologists cannot reliably interpret results from it. What could cause a sample to be nonviable? A sample may become …
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Your pathology report for neuroendocrine tumor of the larynx

A neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the larynx (also known as a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor) is a rare type of cancer that develops from specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells, which release hormones into the blood in response to signals from the nervous system. These tumors occur in the larynx (voice box), the structure in your …
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Keratinizing

Keratinizing refers to a process in which squamous cells produce and fill up with a protein called keratin. Keratin is a strong, protective substance that helps tissues resist damage and dehydration. As squamous cells become keratinizing, they grow tougher and thicker and lose their ability to function as living cells. Instead, they form a protective …
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Your pathology report for adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare type of blood cancer that develops in T cells. T cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune system by fighting infections and helping to regulate immune responses. When ATLL mainly affects the blood and bone marrow, it is called …
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