1s: Fundamentals

Question 1

Different cell types (5)

Answer 1

Neutrophils

• Acute inflammation

Lymphocytes and plasma cells

• Chronic inflammation (lymphomas)

Eosinophils

• Allergic reactions
• Parasitic infections
• Tumours (i.e. Hodgkin’s disease) = more as a reaction to tumours
• Eosinophilic oesophagitis (allergic reaction)

Mast cells (large and full of inflammatory granules)

• Welts and rashes (i.e. urticaria)

Macrophages

• Late acute inflammation
• Chronic inflammation (inc. granulomas [organised collection of activated macrophages])
• Ziehl-Neelson stain (an acid-fast stain to differentiate sarcoid and TB)

Question 2

Tumour classification

Answer 2

Carcinoma (malignant)

SCC = keratin production, intercellular bridges

• Origins = skin, head/neck, oesophagus, anus, cervix, vagina
• p40 stain for SCC of lung

Adenocarcinomas = mucin production, glands

• Origins = lung, breast, stomach, colon, pancreas etc.
• Mucin stain = to differentiate from SCC (which has no mucin production)
• Fontana stain = for melanin
• TTF-1 stain = for adenocarcinoma of lung

Transition cell carcinomas = ‘just looks like transitional epithelium’