MLT GlobeHistopathology: Organ & tumour pathology
8 Histopathology MCQs on Organ & tumour pathology with answers and explanations.
A pathologist studies sections of a resected tumour to assess changes in its tissue structure. This discipline is:
Histopathology examines the microscopic structure of diseased tissue; cytopathology studies individual cells, and histochemistry localises chemicals.
A small breast lump is removed entirely with a rim of normal tissue for diagnosis. This is a(n):
Excision biopsy removes the whole lesion; incision and needle biopsies sample only part of it.
Tissue removed from a living patient for diagnosis is called a:
Biopsies come from living patients; autopsy/post-mortem tissue comes from the deceased, and cytology deals with cells.
Grossing (macroscopic examination) of a specimen involves:
At grossing, the specimen is measured, described and sampled into cassettes. Microtomy and microscopy come later.
In adults, a bone marrow trephine biopsy is most often taken from the:
The posterior superior iliac crest is safe and yields a good core. The sternum is used for aspiration only, and the tibia only in infants.
A tumour of the adrenal medulla composed of chromaffin cells, which secretes catecholamines, is a:
Pheochromocytoma arises from chromaffin cells and produces catecholamines. Adrenocortical adenomas arise from the cortex.
A 10 mm thick piece of tissue is received for routine processing. What should be done before it is placed in a standard cassette?
Standard cassettes accept slices about 3–4 mm thick, which also allows reagents to penetrate fully. Thick pieces are poorly fixed and processed.
A specimen labelled 'TAH-BSO' contains:
Total abdominal hysterectomy removes uterus and cervix; bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy adds both tubes and ovaries. Recognizing such labels guides grossing.