Clark’s level is a system used in pathology reports to describe how far a skin cancer, such as invasive squamous cell carcinoma or invasive melanoma, has spread into the skin. It’s an important factor in determining the severity and potential behaviour of the tumour. The system consists of five levels, each indicating how deeply the tumour has penetrated through …
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Keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing but benign (noncancerous) type of skin tumour. It typically involves hair-bearing skin on the face, although other body parts can occasionally be involved. What causes keratoacanthoma? Keratoacanthoma is believed to be caused by excessive sun exposure. However, in many cases, the tumour only grows after the skin is involved in …
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A juvenile type granulosa cell tumour (GCT) is a rare and slow-growing type of ovarian cancer that typically develops in girls and women before 30 years of age. The tumour is composed of immature (primitive) appearing granulosa cells. Mature granulosa cells are normally found in the ovary where they produce the hormone estrogen and support …
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Keratinocytes are specialized cells that make up the majority of cells in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. They are named for their role in producing keratin, a key structural protein that contributes to the skin’s strength and resilience. Under microscopic examination, these cells appear bright pink because the keratin inside the cytoplasm …
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Metastatic carcinoma refers to cancer that has spread from its original (primary) site to other parts of the body. The term carcinoma specifically refers to a type of cancer that begins in the epithelial cells, which line the organs and tissues of the body. For example, if someone has metastatic carcinoma of the breast, it …
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Psammoma bodies are tiny, rounded structures often found within certain types of tumours. Under a microscope, they appear as small, layered (concentric) deposits made up of calcium and proteins, resembling the layers of an onion. The name “psammoma” comes from the Greek word “psammos”, meaning “sand,” because of their sand-like appearance under the microscope, and …
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Background: Hypertrophic candidiasis, also known as chronic hyperplastic candidiasis, is a persistent fungal infection of the oral cavity caused by Candida species, most commonly Candida albicans. Unlike other forms of oral candidiasis, which often present as white, removable plaques, hypertrophic candidiasis results in thickened, white plaques that cannot be easily scraped off. This condition represents …
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Invasive apocrine carcinoma is a type of breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is made up of large pink cells that resemble the cells typically found in apocrine-type sweat glands in the skin. Invasive apocrine carcinoma is a rare type of cancer, representing approximately 1% of all breast cancers. What are the symptoms of …
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Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare type of cancer made up of endothelial cells, the specialized cells normally found on the inside of blood vessels. Where is this type of cancer typically found in the body? Common locations for EHE include the lungs, liver, bone, and soft tissue. What are the symptoms of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma? …
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A vascular lesion is a growth predominantly composed of endothelial cells forming abnormal blood vessels. The term vascular lesion can be applied to a wide range of conditions, including benign (noncancerous) tumours, intermediate (locally aggressive) tumours, malignant (cancerous) tumours, congenital/development abnormalities, and reactive conditions. Vascular lesions can occur in any part of the body, although …
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