A neck dissection is a surgical procedure involving the removal of lymph nodes and surrounding tissue from the neck. It is primarily performed to treat or prevent the spread of cancer, particularly head and neck cancers, by removing potentially affected lymphatic tissue. What is the purpose of a neck dissection? The primary purpose of a …
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An adenomatoid nodule is a benign (noncancerous) growth that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck that produces hormones to regulate metabolism. Adenomatoid nodules are the most common type of thyroid nodule and are often part of a broader condition called follicular nodular disease, in …
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A blue nevus is a common, noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells in the skin that make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. A blue nevus gets its distinctive blue or blue-gray color from melanin that sits deep in the dermis (the layer of skin …
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WT-1 is a protein that acts as a transcription factor, meaning it helps control the activity of certain genes within cells. It was initially discovered because of its connection to Wilms’ tumour, a type of kidney cancer commonly seen in children. WT-1 plays an essential role in the normal development and functioning of the kidneys …
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A mycetoma of the sinus, also known as a fungal ball, is a type of fungal infection that occurs within the paranasal sinuses. It is typically non-invasive but can cause significant symptoms due to the mass effect of the fungal accumulation. What causes a mycetoma? Mycetoma of the sinus is caused by the accumulation of …
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HPV-associated dysplasia of the oral cavity is a precancerous condition in which the cells lining the inside of the mouth develop abnormal features due to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The word dysplasia means that the cells have started to grow and behave abnormally — they are not cancer yet, but without treatment, they …
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An oral melanotic macule is a benign (noncancerous), flat, pigmented spot found on the lining of the mouth. The inside of the mouth is covered by a thin protective layer called the epithelium. In an oral melanotic macule, there is a small, localized increase in melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to skin …
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The term fibromyxoid tumour is not a final diagnosis but a descriptive term that pathologists sometimes use when looking at tissue under the microscope. It refers to tumours made up of a mix of fibrous tissue (tough, scar-like tissue) and myxoid tissue (a gelatin-like material). These tumours can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They …
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Lymphoblastic lymphoma is an aggressive cancer of the immune system that starts in immature lymphocytes called lymphoblasts. Lymphoblasts are the earliest, most immature form of lymphocytes — the white blood cells that normally mature into either B cells (which make antibodies) or T cells (which coordinate immune responses and kill infected cells). In lymphoblastic lymphoma, …
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Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. In ALL, the bone marrow makes large numbers of immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts, also called leukemic blasts. These abnormal cells grow quickly and crowd out the …
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