In pathology, the term “blasts” refers to immature cells in the early stages of development into mature cells. These cells are typically found in the bone marrow, which is part of the normal process of blood cell formation known as hematopoiesis. Blasts can develop into various types of blood cells, such as red blood cells, white …
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High-grade B cell lymphoma with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements — also called diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with MYC and BCL2 rearrangements, or informally “double-hit lymphoma” — is an aggressive blood cancer that starts in B cells. These white blood cells help the body fight infections. The name refers to two specific genes, MYC …
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Cribriform morular thyroid carcinoma (CMTC) is a rare type of thyroid cancer with a distinctive appearance under the microscope and an important link to an inherited condition called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck that helps regulate metabolism. CMTC was once grouped with papillary thyroid …
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Metastasis is a term used in pathology to describe the process by which cancer spreads from where it first started (the primary site) to other body parts. When cancer cells break away from the original tumor, they can travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system (a network of vessels and nodes that helps fight …
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Keratosis without dysplasia in the larynx refers to a condition where the tissue that covers the inside surface of the larynx is abnormally thick without showing signs of dysplasia, which means there are no precancerous changes in the cells. This change is most commonly seen in the vocal cords although other parts of the larynx …
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An odontogenic cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled growth that develops within the bones of the jaw — the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). The word “odontogenic” means “tooth-producing”: these cysts arise from cells originally involved in tooth development. Most odontogenic cysts are benign and grow slowly, but they can become large enough …
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A radicular cyst — also called a periapical cyst or apical periodontal cyst — is a noncancerous, fluid-filled growth that develops at the tip of a tooth’s root. It is the most common type of odontogenic cyst (a cyst arising from tooth-related tissues) and is almost always caused by long-standing infection or injury inside the …
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Focal active colitis is a pattern of inflammation in the colon that a pathologist describes after examining tissue under a microscope. The word focal means the inflammation is limited to small, scattered areas rather than affecting the colon lining broadly. The word active means the inflammation is recent or currently happening, driven by immune cells …
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Chromogranin is a family of proteins primarily found in neuroendocrine cells—specialized cells that release hormones into the blood in response to signals from the nervous system. The main types are chromogranin A, B, and C. These proteins play a crucial role in the storage and release of hormones. Why do pathologists test for chromogranin? Pathologists …
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Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) of the breast is a benign (non-cancerous) condition characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of epithelial cells in the lobules of the breast. This condition involves cells that look different from normal cells but are not abnormal enough to be classified as cancer. Atypical lobular hyperplasia is considered a …
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