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49. Microcellular carcinoma of the lung: Difference between revisions
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'''Theory''': Small-cell lung originates from neuroendocrine cells in the lung. It gets its name from the fact that the tumor cells are really small. The cells also have very little cytoplasm. They’re pleomorphic and mitotic figures can also be seen. | '''Theory''': Small-cell lung originates from neuroendocrine cells in the lung. It gets its name from the fact that the tumor cells are really small. The cells also have very little cytoplasm. They’re pleomorphic and mitotic figures can also be seen. | ||
Nuclear moulding is a morphological sign where the nuclei of two cells appear to be in contact. This signs occurs because the cells have so little cytoplasm that the whole cell is basically just the nucleus, making it look like the cells’ nuclei are in contact. The fact that we have many small foci in addition to the large tumor is also characteristic for small-cell carcinoma.[[File:Small cell lung cancer mitosis.png|thumb|This poor cell was in the middle of dividing when it died.|184x184px]] | Nuclear moulding is a morphological sign where the nuclei of two cells appear to be in contact. This signs occurs because the cells have so little cytoplasm that the whole cell is basically just the nucleus, making it look like the cells’ nuclei are in contact. The fact that we have many small foci in addition to the large tumor is also characteristic for small-cell carcinoma.[[File:Small cell lung cancer mitosis.png|thumb|This poor cell was in the middle of dividing when it died.|184x184px]][[File:Small cell lung cancer nuclear moulding.png|thumb|Nuclear moulding. Note the small size of the tumor cells. Note also their pleomorphism.|left|236x236px]] | ||
Small-cell lung carcinoma has a much worse prognosis than non-small cell carcinoma (squamous and adenocarcinoma).A small-cell carcinoma is a type III neuroendocrine tumor. The salt-n-pepper morphology is characteristic for neuroendocrine tumors. | Small-cell lung carcinoma has a much worse prognosis than non-small cell carcinoma (squamous and adenocarcinoma).A small-cell carcinoma is a type III neuroendocrine tumor. The salt-n-pepper morphology is characteristic for neuroendocrine tumors. | ||
[[Category:Pathology 1 - Histopathology slides]] | [[Category:Pathology 1 - Histopathology slides]] | ||