Minimal residual disease (MRD) is a term used to describe the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after cancer treatment. These cells have the potential to cause relapse in patients. MRD testing can help doctors determine how well the treatment worked, the risk of developing recurrent disease (relapse), and if further …
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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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Juvenile type granulosa cell tumor is a rare type of ovarian cancer that develops from granulosa cells — specialized cells in the ovary that normally produce the hormone estrogen and support the development of egg cells. It belongs to a group of ovarian tumors called sex cord-stromal tumors. Unlike most ovarian cancers, which develop in …
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Keratinocytes are the most common type of cell found in the outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis. These cells are named for the protein they produce, called keratin. Keratin is a strong, protective protein that helps make your skin, hair, and nails tough and resistant to damage. Keratinocytes form a barrier that protects …
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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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Hypertrophic candidiasis — also called chronic hyperplastic candidiasis — is a persistent fungal infection of the oral cavity caused by Candida species, most commonly Candida albicans. It produces thickened white patches on the lining of the mouth that cannot be wiped off — unlike simpler forms of oral thrush, where the white coating can be …
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Invasive apocrine carcinoma is a rare type of breast cancer in which the tumor cells closely resemble apocrine cells, the specialized cells that make up apocrine sweat glands in the skin. It accounts for approximately 1% of all breast cancers. Under the microscope, apocrine carcinoma cells are large and have abundant pink cytoplasm, with prominent …
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Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare type of cancer that starts from cells lining blood vessels. These cells are called endothelial cells. This tumour sits somewhere between a slow-growing cancer and a more aggressive vascular cancer, meaning its behaviour can vary widely from person to person. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma most commonly affects the liver, but it can …
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