What is a perivascular epithelioid cell tumour? Perivascular epithelioid cell tumour (commonly referred to as a PEComa) is a relatively uncommon type of tumour made up of cells that are normally found on the outside of blood vessels. Another name for perivascular epithelioid cell tumour is angiomyolipoma (AML). Where in the body are perivascular epithelioid …
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Paget disease of the breast (also written Paget’s disease) is a non-invasive type of breast cancer that involves the nipple and the surrounding skin. It is considered non-invasive because the cancer cells are confined to the skin’s surface layer, the epidermis, and have not invaded deeper tissues. Most cases begin in the milk ducts that …
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Polymorphous adenocarcinoma is a slow-growing type of cancer that starts in the salivary glands. Unlike most other salivary gland cancers, it almost always starts in one of the small minor salivary glands found in the lining of the mouth and throat — most often in the palate (the roof of the mouth). The word “polymorphous” …
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Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a type of cancer that starts in the salivary glands — the glands that make saliva. It is uncommon overall, accounting for fewer than 1% of all salivary gland cancers. The name reflects the two cell types that make up the tumor: inner ductal cells (also called epithelial or luminal cells) …
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A urothelial papilloma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that develops from cells lining the inside surface of the urinary tract. While it usually forms in the bladder, it can appear anywhere along the urinary tract. After removal, some papillomas may regrow, but importantly, they do not become cancerous over time. Understanding the urinary tract The …
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Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of sarcoma — a cancer that arises from soft tissue. It is called epithelioid because its tumor cells are round and pink-staining, resembling the epithelial cells that normally line the surfaces of organs, even though the tumor does not actually arise from those cells. Epithelioid sarcoma most …
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Myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare cancer that starts in the salivary glands. It develops from myoepithelial cells, which are specialized cells normally found in the salivary gland. This tumour can arise on its own or from a pre-existing noncancerous tumour called pleomorphic adenoma. Myoepithelial carcinoma is typically a slow-growing type of cancer, but it can …
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Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is a type of salivary gland cancer that develops from within a previously benign (noncancerous) tumour called pleomorphic adenoma. In pathology, carcinoma is a general term used to describe a group of malignant (cancerous) tumours made up of epithelial cells, while “ex” means “out of” or “from”. Put together, carcinoma ex …
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A borderline phyllodes tumor is an uncommon breast tumor that arises from the stroma (supportive connective tissue) within the breast. It has characteristics that fall between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) phyllodes tumors. Borderline phyllodes tumors grow faster and have a greater likelihood of recurrence than benign tumors, but they typically do not spread to …
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Myoepithelial cells are specialized cells that have features of both muscle cells and epithelial cells. Their primary role is to help push secretions out of glands. They do this by gently contracting, similar to muscle cells, while also forming part of the gland structure, like epithelial cells. These cells are essential to many normal glands …
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