Desmoplasia is an abnormal reaction that occurs when cancer cells interact with the supportive tissue surrounding them, known as stroma. The stroma is a specialized type of connective tissue that provides structure and support for organs and tissues. In the presence of cancer cells, the stroma often responds by becoming thick, firm, and scar-like, creating …
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A duct is a small, tube-like structure that carries fluid from one part of the body to another. Ducts are a normal part of many organs, and they move substances such as bile, urine, sweat, saliva, and breast milk from where they are made to where they are used or released. The word “duct” appears …
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A cyst is an abnormal, fluid-filled or air-filled space in the body, surrounded by a thin wall of tissue. The inside of a cyst can be empty (containing air), or it might be filled with fluid, blood, pus (dead immune cells), or other types of material. Cysts can develop anywhere in the body and can …
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Cytokeratins are a group of proteins called intermediate filaments that are normally found inside specialized epithelial cells that make up the lining of many internal and external surfaces of the body, such as the skin, organs, and glands. These proteins provide structural support and protect against mechanical stress, as well as help maintain their shape and …
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Desmin is a protein found inside cells that form muscle tissue. It helps provide structure and support within muscle cells, allowing them to contract and function properly. Desmin is part of a group of proteins called intermediate filaments, which form a supportive framework in the cell. It is especially important in smooth, skeletal, and cardiac …
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In medicine, the word benign describes something that is not cancer. Most often, it refers to abnormal growths or tumors — abnormal masses of cells — that stay in place and do not spread to other parts of the body. Pathologists, who are the doctors who examine tissues and cells under a microscope, use the …
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Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is an early form of cancer in which abnormal cells are confined to the epithelium, the layer of tissue where they first developed, and have not yet spread into the surrounding tissue. “In situ” is Latin for “in its original place.” Because the cells have not broken through the basement membrane — the …
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Adipose tissue, commonly known as fat, is a type of body tissue made up of cells called adipocytes. These cells store energy, help cushion and protect internal organs, and provide insulation to maintain body temperature. Adipose tissue surrounds many organs throughout the body and is a normal part of the tissue layers examined in pathology …
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Adenosquamous carcinoma is a type of cancer that contains two distinct cell types within the same tumor: glandular cells and squamous cells. Glandular cells normally produce and release substances such as mucus or enzymes, while squamous cells form the flat surface layers of the skin and line many internal organs. Because it contains both cell …
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A resection is a surgical procedure performed to remove an area of abnormal tissue such as a tumour from the body. A resection usually removes all of the abnormal tissue plus some surrounding normal tissue. The tissue removed is called a specimen and the cut edge of the tissue is called the margin. This type …
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