5. Carcinoid or NET of the appendix: Difference between revisions

The tumor cells show an “insular” pattern, where they are arranged into “nests” of wildly varying size. They also show a mild atypia (pleiomorphism), and they have salt and pepper chromatin. Nuclear moulding is visible as well.[[File:Carcinoid of the appendix - insular growth pattern.png|thumb|The way the tumor cells organize into differently-sized “nests” is the “insular” growth pattern.|258x258px]]'''Diagnosis''': Carcinoid/low grade neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix

'''Risk factors''': Genetic[[File:Carcinoid of the appendix - tumour invasion.png|thumb|Tumour invasion. From the upper left corner.|256x256px]]'''Theory''': The term “carcinoid” refers to a neuroendocrine cancer. In the <abbr>GI</abbr> tract is not the term “carcinoid” preferred but rather the term “low grade neuroendocrine tumor”. The histological morphology of the tumor cells is similar to that of the neuroendocrine tumor in the pulmonology chapter. The cells are small, they have the salt and pepper chromatin morphology and show only mild atypia. Neuroendocrine tumors are always malignant. The fact that the “main” tumor in the slide shows benign features like its well-circumscribed, expansile border must not mislead you. The tumor has already invaded to the upper left corner of the slide. Compare that corner with the right side of the slide, which is cancer-free.[[File:Carcinoid of the appendix - closeup.png|thumb|High magnification|244x244px|none]]

[[Category:Pathology 2 - Histopathology slides]]