Basal cell adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in the salivary glands — the glands that make saliva. It is called “basal cell” because the tumor cells resemble the basal cells normally found at the base of salivary gland ducts. Most basal cell adenocarcinomas are low grade and grow slowly. They are …
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This article is designed to help you understand your pathology report for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Each section explains an important aspect of the diagnosis and what it means for you. What is T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia? T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a type of cancer caused by immature T cells, a kind of …
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In pathology, the term tumour bed describes an area of the body where a tumour was located before it was removed by surgery or treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy. It is important to examine the tumour bed because it can show how much of the tumour was killed by the treatment and …
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What is focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver? Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a noncancerous type of growth in the liver. It is much more common in young women and it rarely occurs in men or children. What causes focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver? At the present time, we do not completely understand what …
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What is next-generation sequencing? Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a way of finding out the order of the letters in DNA or RNA, the genetic material inside our cells. DNA and RNA are made of four different letters: A, C, G, and T for DNA, and A, C, G, and U for RNA. The order of …
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A hepatocyte is a type of cell found in the liver. They are very active and versatile cells that help to keep the body healthy and balanced. Hepatocytes can also regenerate when they are damaged or lost. The functions of a hepatocyte include: Making proteins needed for blood clotting, transporting substances, and fighting infections. Storing carbohydrates …
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What is a paratubal cyst? A paratubal cyst is a noncancerous fluid-filled space that develops between the ovary and the fallopian tube. It is a common condition that more often affects children and young women. What are the symptoms of a paratubal cyst? Most paratubal cysts do not cause any symptoms and the cyst is …
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Cyclin D1 is part of a family of proteins called cyclins. All cyclins are cell cycle regulators, meaning they help determine when a cell can divide (to create two new cells). Cyclins can be further broken down into multiple families and subtypes. These all work in slightly different ways, but they all push cells to …
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SMA stands for smooth muscle actin, a type of protein found inside certain cells in the body. It plays an important role in helping cells move and maintain their shape. There are different types of actin proteins, but alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is the type most commonly used in pathology testing. Pathologists use SMA …
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Angioleiomyoma is a benign (noncancerous) soft tissue tumour that develops from smooth muscle cells, the same cells found in the walls of blood vessels. These tumours usually arise in the dermis (the deep layer of the skin) or subcutis (the fat just beneath the skin). Under the microscope, the tumour cells grow in bundles surrounding …
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