CMV esophagitis is a medical condition caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the esophagus. The infection leads to inflammation, which damages tissue inside the esophagus. What causes CMV esophagitis? CMV esophagitis is caused by infection of the cells inside the esophagus with cytomegalovirus (CMV). Who is at risk for developing CMV esophagitis? People who have a …
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A malignant spindle cell neoplasm is a type of tumour composed of spindle-shaped cells. These cells appear elongated and narrow under a microscope, resembling a spindle. This diagnosis describes a broad category of tumors rather than a specific type of cancer. Is it a type of cancer? Yes, a malignant spindle cell neoplasm is a …
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What is ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma? ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a type of cancer that starts from specialized immune cells called T cells. It typically involves lymph nodes, but it can also be found in the skin and lungs among other sites. What type of cancer is ALK-positive anaplastic large cell …
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NRAS is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein involved in cell signaling, specifically in controlling cell growth and division. Like other genes in the RAS family, NRAS plays a role in regulating normal cell function. However, when mutations occur in the NRAS gene, the protein it encodes can become overactive, leading to …
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BRAF is a gene that provides instructions for making the BRAF protein, a kinase enzyme that is part of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. In normal, healthy cells, this protein works with other proteins in the MAPK/ERK pathway to regulate cell growth and proliferation. However, a change in the BRAF gene can cause this protein to behave …
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What does inactive endometrium mean? Inactive endometrium is a term pathologists use to describe the appearance of endometrial tissue (the tissue found on the inside of the uterus) that is not under the influence of normal (physiological) levels of estrogen and progesterone or is altered due to exogenous factors. Is inactive endometrium normal? Inactive endometrium …
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In a pathology report, the term non-invasive means that a tumour or abnormal growth has not spread into the surrounding tissues. The abnormal cells are confined to the original layer of tissue where they started. This term is most often used to describe early-stage cancers or pre-cancerous conditions, but it also applies to all benign …
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Squamous cell carcinoma in situ is a non-invasive type of cancer made up of squamous cells. It is called non-invasive because the abnormal cells have not spread into any of the surrounding tissues. If left untreated, this condition can turn into a type of invasive cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma in situ …
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PAX5 is a protein that acts as a transcription factor, which means it helps control when certain genes are turned on or off in a cell. It plays an important role in the early development of the immune system by guiding immature blood cells to become B cells, a type of white blood cell that …
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Chromogranin is a family of proteins primarily found in neuroendocrine cells—specialized cells that release hormones into the blood in response to signals from the nervous system. The main types are chromogranin A, B, and C. These proteins play a crucial role in the storage and release of hormones. Why do pathologists test for chromogranin? Pathologists …
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