Histology and Characteristics of Malignant Tumors

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

This is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for about 70-80% of cases.

Adenocarcinoma

The most common type of lung cancer, often associated with non-smokers.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma

This histology is the most common form of bladder cancer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

This type of skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed among skin cancers.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (Clear Cell)

The most common histology found in kidney cancer cases.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This histology is the most common type of primary liver cancer.

Adenocarcinoma of the Exocrine Pancreas

This is the most common histology in pancreatic cancer.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The most common histology for oropharyngeal, sinus, hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, and oral cavity cancer.

Non-Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The most common histology for nasopharyngeal cancer.

Serous Carcinoma

The most common histology for ovarian cancer.

Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma

The most common histology for endometrial cancer.

Seminoma

The most common histology for testicular cancer.

Upper outer quadrant

Most common site for breast cancer.

Right upper lobe

Most common site for lung cancer.

Lateral and ventral tongue

Most common site for oral cavity cancer.

Tonsils

Most common site for oropharynx cancer.

Transformation zone

Most common site for cervical cancer.

Peripheral zone

Most common site for prostate cancer.

Glioblastoma multiforme (astrocytoma)

Most common pathology in adult primary brain tumors.

Cerebral hemispheres (frontal and temporal lobes)

Most common site for GBM's in brain.

Glottis or true vocal cords

Most common site for laryngeal cancer.

Upper outer quadrant (Breast)

Most common site for adenocarcinoma in the breast.

Peripheral zone (Prostate)

Most common site for adenocarcinoma in the prostate.

Sigmoid colon (Colorectal)

Most common site for adenocarcinoma in the colorectal region.

Histology

The microscopic examination of tissue to study the manifestations of disease.

Pathology report

A report that provides detailed information about the diagnosis and characteristics of a tumor.

Cytology

The study of cells from tissues or fluids, used to diagnose diseases.

Differentiation

The evaluation of how much the tumor cells differ from normal cells.

Grading

A scoring system that evaluates the appearance of cancer cells and their activity.

Negative (clear) margins

Margins described when no cancer cells are found at the edges of the tissue removed.

Positive margins

Margins described when cancer cells are present at the edge of the tissue removed.

Curative surgery

The goal of this type of surgery is to achieve negative margins to ensure all cancer cells are removed.

Re-excision

The term for additional tissue removed around the initial surgical site to ensure no cancer cells remain.

Nottingham grading system

A system commonly used to grade breast cancer based on certain criteria.

Grade 1

This grade indicates well-differentiated, less aggressive tumors.

Grade 3

This grade indicates poorly differentiated, more aggressive tumors.

Prognosis

The histologic grade of a tumor helps determine this aspect of the cancer.

Grade 2

What grade indicates tumors with an intermediate level of differentiation.

Colon cancer

This cancer type is often diagnosed with the help of a colonoscopy and biopsy.

Breast cancer

This type of cancer is graded using the Nottingham grading system.

Cervical cancer

A Pap test is used to screen for this type of cancer.

Lung cancer

This type of cancer often requires a biopsy of a lung nodule.

Liver

This organ is commonly biopsied to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma.

Benign tumors

Tumors that do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors

Tumors that invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body.

Metastasis

The term for the spread of cancer cells to distant parts of the body.

Poorly differentiated cells

These types of cells in a pathology report indicate a higher likelihood of malignancy.

Well-differentiated cells and negative margins

The presence of these in a pathology report usually suggests a benign tumor.