What is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a non-cancerous condition that occurs when tissue that is normally found in a part of the body called the endometrium starts growing outside the endometrium. What parts of the body are commonly affected by endometriosis? Endometriosis commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes, outside surface of the uterus, posterior cul-de-sac (space …
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Actinic keratosis (AK) is a pre-cancerous skin condition caused by long-term damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, most often from the sun. It is made up of abnormal skin cells called keratinocytes, which are the flat cells that form most of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). In actinic keratosis, the abnormal cells are …
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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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Cirrhosis is a long-term condition in which the normal structure of the liver is replaced by scar tissue and regenerative nodules. Over time, repeated liver injury causes bands of scar tissue to form. These bands divide the liver into round areas called nodules, each composed of regenerating liver cells. Although these cells try to repair …
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Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of cancer that develops from skeletal muscle tissue, the muscle responsible for voluntary movements like walking or lifting objects. This cancer most commonly affects children, but it can also be found in adults. Rhabdomyosarcoma can occur almost anywhere in the body, but it most frequently arises in areas such as the …
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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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Signet ring cells are abnormal cells seen in certain types of cancer. They get their name from their shape: each cell is filled with a substance called mucin, which pushes the cell’s nucleus (the part that holds genetic material) to the side, creating an appearance similar to a ring with a gemstone. Unlike most other types …
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Squamous cells are flat, thin cells that form protective surfaces on both the outside and inside of the body. Their shape resembles small plates or scales, allowing them to pack tightly together and create a strong barrier. This barrier protects the tissues underneath from injury, infection, and environmental exposure. These cells are part of a …
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A sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the body’s connective tissues. These tissues support and hold the body together and include bone, muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and fibrous tissue (the tissue that gives structure and strength to organs). Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, sarcomas can begin almost anywhere. …
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In pathology, poorly differentiated is a term used to describe how cancer cells look under a microscope. When cells are poorly differentiated, they appear very different from normal cells in the body. Normal cells are well-organized and have specific structures, but poorly differentiated cells lose these typical features, making it hard to tell where they …
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