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What is the significance of using ER and PR antibodies in breast tumors?
ER (estrogen receptor) and PR (progesterone receptor) antibodies are used to determine if tumors are hormone-dependent, allowing treatments like tamoxifen to block estrogen and reduce tumor growth in ER positive patients.
What is tamoxifen and who can benefit from it?
Tamoxifen is a drug used to block estrogen in patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast tumors, but it is not suitable for every patient due to potential side effects.
What is Herceptin, and how does it work in breast cancer treatment?
Herceptin is a drug used to target HER2 growth receptors that are overexpressed in certain breast cancers, helping to inhibit tumor growth in patients with genetic predisposition to HER2 overexpression.
What are the primary markers tested in breast tissue to guide treatment decisions?
The primary markers include ER, PR, and HER2, which help determine the best treatment options based on the tumor's characteristics.
How has the role of histology evolved in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment?
Histology has evolved from merely diagnosing breast tumors to also assessing prognostic markers to predict treatment responses and monitor disease progression.
What is the primary purpose of using the Prussian blue stain in liver biopsies?
The Prussian blue stain is used to identify iron deposits in liver tissue, as it reacts with iron to produce a bluish color.
What tissue structures are visible in a liver biopsy?
A liver biopsy shows thin cores of tissue with cells lining up, as well as triads of connective tissue and three vessels within the liver.
What condition is associated with abnormal iron deposits in the liver?
Hemochromatosis, a condition where excess iron accumulates in organs and skin.
Why is it important to control iron levels in the body?
Iron is toxic to the body in excess, and uncontrolled deposition can lead to serious health conditions.
What physical sign may indicate hemochromatosis?
A bronzed skin appearance can indicate excessive iron storage in the body.
What are poorly differentiated carcinomas?
Poorly differentiated carcinomas are tumor cells that do not show normal differentiation, behaving more like immature stem cells and displaying aggressive growth patterns.
What does it mean for a tumor to be well differentiated?
A well differentiated tumor is one that retains normal cell functions and morphology, indicating a slower growth rate and more mature characteristics.
From what tissue do carcinomas arise?
Carcinomas arise from epithelial tissue, which can be categorized as squamous or glandular.
What is differentiation in the context of epithelial tissues?
Differentiation refers to the process where stem cells mature into specialized cells, taking on specific functions before they die.
How do tumors vary in growth behavior based on their differentiation?
Well differentiated tumors grow slowly and behave normally, while poorly differentiated tumors grow rapidly and often do not reach maturity, resembling stem cells.
What is the function of the elastic van Giesen stain?
The elastic van Giesen stain is used to demonstrate elastin and collagen in tissue samples, with red blood cells separated out by the van Giesen solution.
What color does the stain for carbohydrates, including glycogen, appear?
The stain for carbohydrates, including glycogen, appears pink.
How can glycogen be conclusively identified in tissue?
Glycogen can be conclusively identified by using an enzyme technique with amylase, which digests glycogen out of the cells.
What happens to the staining results after amylase treatment on glycogen-containing tissue?
After amylase treatment on glycogen-containing tissue, the staining results become negative, confirming the presence of glycogen.
