Mucinous adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer and one of the main subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer. This tumour gets its name because the cancer cells produce large amounts of a sticky fluid called mucin. Mucinous adenocarcinoma typically develops in the outer parts of the lungs, and it can sometimes affect multiple areas …
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The mitotic rate describes how many cells in a tumour are actively dividing. When cells divide, they create new cells. This is a normal process in healthy tissue, but in a tumour, a high number of dividing cells can be a sign that the tumour is growing quickly. In a pathology report, the mitotic rate …
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Liposarcoma is a type of cancer that develops from fat cells. It is classified as a soft tissue sarcoma, which means it arises in the connective tissues of the body. Liposarcomas are most commonly found in areas where fat is normally present, such as the abdomen or limbs. While liposarcoma is rare, it is one …
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Striated duct adenoma is a rare, benign tumour that develops in the salivary glands, most often in the parotid gland, situated in front of and below the ears. The tumour is made up of small ducts (tiny tube-like structures) similar to those normally found in the salivary glands. These tumours are typically slow-growing and do …
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A mutation is a change in a gene, which is a piece of DNA that provides instructions for how a cell should function. In a molecular pathology report, the word “mutation” means that there has been a genetic change in the tumour’s DNA. Some mutations are harmless, while others can contribute to cancer development or …
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Nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a cancer arising in the nasopharynx, the area at the back of the nasal cavity above the soft palate. The term “nonkeratinizing” describes the appearance of the cancer cells under the microscope: they produce little or no keratin (a tough protein that gives other …
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Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in the skeletal muscle tissue, the muscle responsible for voluntary movements like walking or lifting objects. This cancer is called “pleomorphic” because the tumour cells can take on many different shapes and sizes. It is most commonly found in adults, especially in the arms, legs, …
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Type B3 thymoma is a rare tumour that starts in the thymus, a small organ located in the chest. The thymus is part of the immune system and helps produce T cells. This type of thymoma predominantly comprises epithelial cells, which look more abnormal than those in type B1 and B2 thymomas. It has fewer …
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Type B2 thymoma is a rare tumour that starts in the thymus, a small organ located in the chest. The thymus plays an important role in the immune system by producing T cells. In this type of tumour, there is a mix of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and epithelial cells, with more …
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The FNCLCC (Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer) is the most common grading system doctors use to evaluate soft tissue sarcomas, which are cancers that start in tissues like muscles, fat, or blood vessels. This grading system helps doctors assess how aggressive (fast-growing) the tumour is, guiding treatment decisions and helping predict …
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