tumour

Your pathology report for leiomyoma

A leiomyoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour made of smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle is the type of muscle found in structures such as blood vessels, hair follicles, the gastrointestinal tract, and the uterus. Leiomyomas can develop in the skin (cutaneous leiomyomas) or in deep soft tissues, including muscle and the retroperitoneum or abdominal cavity. …
Read More »

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: Understanding Your Pathology Report

What is uterine leiomyosarcoma? Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a type of uterine cancer. The tumour starts from specialized smooth muscle cells normally found in a part of the uterus called the myometrium. Most patients are over the age of 50 years at the time of diagnosis. What are the symptoms of uterine leiomyosarcoma? Symptoms of uterine leiomyosarcoma …
Read More »

Superficially Invasive: Definition

What does superficially invasive mean? Superficially invasive is a term pathologists use to describe cancer that has only spread a small distance into the non-cancerous surrounding tissue. The term ‘superficially invasive’ may be used to describe many different types of cancers. The actual distance that the tumour cells may spread into the normal tissue in …
Read More »

What is minimally invasive?

What does minimally invasive mean? Minimally invasive is a term pathologists use to describe cancer that has only spread a small distance into the non-cancerous surrounding tissue. For example, a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth may be called minimally invasive if it has spread less than 0.5 cm into the …
Read More »

Atypical Lipomatous Tumour (ALT): Understanding Your Pathology Report

An atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT) is a slow-growing, low-grade type of sarcoma — a cancer that arises from fat cells. ALT is closely related to well-differentiated liposarcoma; in fact, both names refer to the same underlying tumor. The term ALT is used when the tumor arises in a location where complete surgical removal is achievable, …
Read More »

Desmoid Tumour: Understanding Your Pathology Report

Background: Desmoid tumour or deep fibromatosis is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour that starts in connective tissue. It is considered locally aggressive because it can grow into surrounding tissues and organs. The tumour can also grow back if not completely removed. However, it will not metastasize (spread) to other body parts. Symptoms of desmoid tumour The …
Read More »

Mucinous Cystadenofibroma of the Ovary: Understanding Your Pathology Report

What is mucinous cystadenofibroma? A mucinous cystadenofibroma is a non-cancerous type of ovarian tumour.  While these tumours are non-cancerous, they can grow to be very large in size and can cause significant symptoms for many patients. How do pathologists make this diagnosis? For most women, the diagnosis of mucinous cystadenofibroma is only made when the …
Read More »

Pyogenic Granuloma: Understanding Your Pathology Report

What is a pyogenic granuloma? A pyogenic granuloma is a common non-cancerous type of tumour made up of blood vessels and inflammatory cells. The tumour is usually round, and the surface may appear bright red. Pyogenic granuloma often appear suddenly and the tumour may grow very quickly at first only to decrease in size gradually …
Read More »

Chondroma: Understanding Your Pathology Report

What is a chondroma? A chondroma is a non-cancerous tumour made up of cells normally found in cartilage called chondrocytes. They usually affect young and middle-aged adults. A closely related tumour that occurs inside the bone is called an enchondroma. Is a chondroma benign? Yes. All chondromas are benign (non-cancerous) tumours. Where are chondromas found …
Read More »

Hurthle Cell Adenoma: Understanding Your Pathology Report

Hürthle cell adenoma is an older name for a benign (non-cancerous) thyroid tumor that is now called oncocytic adenoma of the thyroid gland. The name was changed in the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of thyroid tumors. Both terms describe the same tumor, but the newer name is now preferred. The older name Hürthle …
Read More »

A+ A A-