Histopathology

Question 1

SUMMARY CARD:

What is the main stay histological staining for cells?

H&E

Answer 1

Haematoxylin & eosin staining (H&E)

• Haematoxylin = stains basic parts purple
• Eosin = stains acidic parts pink

Question 2

SUMMARY CARD:

In which pathological processes are the following cell types found in:
1. Neutrophils
2. Macrophages
3. Lymphocytes
4. Plasma cells
5. Eosinophils
6. Mast cells

Answer 2

1. Neutrophils:

• Sterile (i.e. inflammatory) OR non-sterile (i.e. infectious)
• ACUTE inflammation
• Multi-lobulated (purple)
• Pink when granulated (i.e. during the killing)

2. Macrophages:

• LATE acute inflammation
• CHRONIC inflammation (including granulomas e.g. sarcoidosis)
• Chronic inflammation is more secretory so they are large cells filled with cytoplasm

3. Lymphocytes:

• Chronic inflammation (light purple)
• Lymphoma (sheets of clonal cells ie. Identical)

4. Plasma cells:

• Chronic inflammation
• Myeloma

5. Eosinophils:

• ALLERGIC reactions
• PARASITIC infections
• Tumours e.g. Hodgkin’s disease
• Bi-lobed nucleus (blue) with red granules

6. Mast cells:

• ALLERGIC reactions
• They are large cells containing lots of granules
• Release a range of inflammatory mediators e.g. histamine

Question 3

SUMMARY CARD:

What are the histological features of the 3 main tumour types and where are they found?

1. Squamous cell carcinoma
2. Adenocarcinoma
3. Transitional cell carcinoma

keratin, bridges, viscera, glands, mucin, KUB

Answer 3

1. Squamous cell carcinoma:

• Keratin production & intracellular bridges
• Does NOT form glands
• E.g. skin, head & neck, upper 2/3 oesophagus, anus, cervix, vagina

2. Adenocarcinoma:

• From glandular epithelium
• Forms glands that can secrete substances (e.g.
  mucin)
• Viscera e.g. lung, breast, stomach, colon, pancreas

3. Transitional cell carcinoma:

• Kidney
• Ureters
• Bladder

Question 4

SUMMARY CARD:

Define the following terms:

1. Hyperplasia
2. Hypertrophy
3. Metaplasia
4. Dysplasia
5. Neoplasia

BONUS: what is required for a neoplasia to be considered cancer?

Answer 4

1. Hyperplasia = increase in the number of cells e.g. parathyroid hyperplasia
2. Hypertrophy = increase in the size of the cells e.g. HOCM, LVH
3. Metaplasia = change from one cell type to another, usually reversible e.g. Barrett’s oesophagus
4. Dysplasia = reduced differentiation of the cells e.g. cervix (NOTE: not cancer as basement membrane is still intact)
5. Neoplasia = abnormal uncontrolled growth of cells + tissue e.g. benign or malignant

BONUS: cancer = invasion of the basement membrane

Question 5

SUMMARY CARD: