What is clear cell chondrosarcoma? Clear cell chondrosarcoma is a slow-growing type of cancer made up of cartilage. This type of cancer is typically found in the femur (long bone of the leg) or the humerus (long bone of the arm) where it affects the epiphysis (end of the bone). What is cartilage? Cartilage is …
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CD45 is a protein found on the surface of most cells in the immune system, including white blood cells (also called leukocytes). CD45 helps these immune cells communicate and respond appropriately to infections and inflammation. Why do pathologists test for CD45? Pathologists test for CD45 to help determine if cells seen in a tissue sample …
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AE1/AE3 is a laboratory test used by pathologists to help identify the origin of a tumour. It works by detecting proteins called cytokeratins — structural proteins found inside epithelial cells, which line the surfaces of organs and glands throughout the body. AE1/AE3 is not a single protein — it is a combination of two antibodies, …
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Lichenoid mucositis is a pattern of inflammation in the lining of the mouth when immune cells attack oral mucosal cells. It is not cancer. It is not a precancerous condition on its own. In most cases, it represents an ongoing immune reaction — either to an autoimmune disease, a medication, or a contact substance — …
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Medullary carcinoma is a rare subtype of colorectal cancer. Like other types of colon and rectal cancer, it starts from the cells lining the inner surface of the bowel. However, medullary carcinoma has a very distinctive appearance under the microscope. Instead of forming the gland-like structures typical of most colorectal cancers, the tumor cells grow …
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A dentigerous cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled sac that forms around the crown of a tooth that has not yet come through the gum. Because it develops from tissue surrounding a forming tooth, it is sometimes also called a follicular cyst. Dentigerous cysts are the second most common type of odontogenic cyst (a cyst arising …
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Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the cervix is a precancerous condition in which abnormal glandular cells grow in the surface lining of the cervix. These cells look like the cells seen in adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer, but in AIS, the abnormal cells have not grown into the deeper layers of the cervical wall. …
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High grade dysplasia of the larynx, also known as severe keratinizing squamous dysplasia, is a precancerous condition involving the abnormal growth of squamous cells lining the larynx (voice box). Dysplasia means the cells look abnormal when viewed under a microscope and are not developing normally. If left untreated, high grade dysplasia can progress to a …
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Squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the larynx is a non-invasive type of cancer. If left untreated, this condition can evolve into a type of invasive laryngeal cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. This condition typically affects adults over the age of 40 years. The larynx The larynx is a structure located in the upper neck …
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Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma — also called sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma — is a rare and aggressive subtype of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. It is called “spindle cell” because the cancer cells have an elongated, spindle-like shape quite different from the rounded cells of typical squamous cell carcinoma. This unusual shape makes …
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