In pathology, the term malignant transformation describes the development of a malignant (cancerous) tumour from a benign (noncancerous) tumour or a precancerous disease. Malignant transformation is important because the cells in the malignant tumour can grow into nearby tissues and metastasize (spread) to distant organs such as lymph nodes and the lungs. Common conditions that …
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Dyskeratotic cells are squamous cells that have keratinized too early or in the wrong place. Keratinization is the normal process by which squamous cells make and store a tough protein called keratin, but they are only supposed to do this once they reach the surface. A dyskeratotic cell makes keratin while it is still deep …
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A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing disease by examining tissues, cells, and body fluids — usually under a microscope. When you have a biopsy or surgery, the tissue removed is sent to a pathologist, who studies it and writes the pathology report that explains what was found. In most cases, the …
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Fibroblasts are a type of cell normally found in connective tissue. They play an important role in maintaining the structural framework of tissues and organs in the body. They are one the most common types of cells found in connective tissue and are primarily involved in producing and secreting the extracellular matrix, which provides structural …
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Glandular cells are specialized epithelial cells that form the functional units of most internal organs. They are involved in the production and secretion of substances that aid in the normal activity of the organ. These substances may include enzymes, hormones, mucus, or other products that are released into ducts, surfaces, or the bloodstream for various …
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Endosalpingiosis is a condition in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the fallopian tube is found somewhere else in the body. It is most often found in the pelvis, including on the surface of the ovaries, on the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), and in nearby lymph nodes. Endosalpingiosis is a …
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B-lymphoblastic leukemia, also called B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow, the soft inner part of bones where blood cells are made. In this disease, the bone marrow produces large numbers of immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts. These lymphoblasts come from a type of …
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A fibrovascular core is a small microscopic structure made up of fibrous tissue (connective tissue) and blood vessels. These cores are found inside finger-like projections called papillae. Papillae are common features in many types of growths, including both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) ones. For example, fibrovascular cores can be seen in benign papillomas, as …
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Psammoma bodies are tiny, rounded structures often found within certain types of tumours. Under a microscope, they appear as small, layered (concentric) deposits made up of calcium and proteins, resembling the layers of an onion. The name “psammoma” comes from the Greek word “psammos”, meaning “sand,” because of their sand-like appearance under the microscope, and …
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An intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a type of non-invasive pancreatic tumor. It starts from the cells that line the ducts, the small channels that carry digestive fluids from the pancreas into the intestine. These cells produce a thick, sticky substance called mucin. An IPMN is not cancer, but it is considered precancerous, which …
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