5. Basics
Cell Appearance Significance
Neutrophil
Multilobed nuclei with
granules
Acute inflammation
Lymphocyte
Little cytoplasm with big
nucleus
Chronic inflammation,
lymphoma
Eosinophil
Bi-lobed nucleus with red
granules
Allergic, parasites,
Hodgkin lymphoma
Mast Cell
Large and heavily
granular
Allergy (e.g. urticaria)
Macrophage
Large with lots of
cytoplasm
Late acute inflammation,
chronic inflammation (inc
granuloma)
6. Basics
Type of Cancer Histological Features Sites
Squamous Cell
Carcinoma
Keratin production
Intercellular bridges
Lung, skin, oesophagus
Adenocarcinoma
Mucin production
Glands
Lung, breast, colon,
pancreas, cervix,
stomach
Transitional Cell
Carcinoma
- Bladder, ureter, urethra
Sarcoma
Arises from
mesenchymal cells
Bone, cartilage, fat,
vascular
7. Basics
Stains
Chemical reaction between
stain and tissue
Antibodies bind to specific
antigen
Examples
H&E: everyday stain
Prussian Blue: iron
Congo Red: amyloid
Examples
Cytokeratin antibody: epithelial cells
CD45: lymphoid marker
Immunohistochemical
Histochemical
9. Question 1
A 45-year-old man presents to his GP with a 3-month history of
worsening dysphagia. He is now unable to comfortably swallow
solid foods. He has never suffered from heartburn and takes no
regular medications. He has a 20 pack year smoking history
and drinks in moderation. A barium swallow identifies an apple
core lesion in the middle third of the oesophagus. This is
followed by an OGD and biopsy which reveals abnormal
keratinised cells with intercellular bridges that have invaded the
basement membrane. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Barrett’s oesophagus
B Transitional cell carcinoma
C Oesophageal lymphoma
D Adenocarcinoma
E Squamous cell carcinoma
10. Question 2
A 16-year-old girl has suffered from diarrhoea for the past 6
months. She describes the diarrhoea as foul-smelling and has
lost 5 kg over this time period. An endoscopy and biopsy
reveals increased intraepithelial lymphocytes with a 2:1 villous
to crypt ratio. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Lymphocytic duodenitis
B Coeliac disease
C Crohn’s disease
D Duodenal MALToma
E Linitis plastica
11. Oesophagus and Stomach Histology
Oesophagus
• Contains submucosal
glands
• Transitions from
squamous to columnar
epithelium at the z-line
Body and Fundus
• Columnar lining
• Produce acid and
intrinsic factor
Pylorus and Antrum
• Columnar lining
• Produce gastrin
Duodenum
• Columnar epithelium
with goblet cells
• 2:1 villous: crypt ratio
12. Oesophageal Cancer
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Associated with Barrett’s oesophagus
Associated with GORD
Lower 1/3 of oesophagus
Associated with smoking and alcohol
Lower 2/3 of oesophagus
Histology: keratinised cells with
intercellular bridges
Histology: glandular epithelium
13. Chronic Gastritis Histology
Abundance of lymphocytes
Gastritis, Ulcers and Cancer
Causes of Gastritis
• Autoimmune
• H. pylori
• Chemical (alcohol, NSAIDs)
Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue
• Chronic gastritis induces lymphoid
tissue in the stomach
• Strongly associated with H. pylori
• Increased risk of lymphoma
14. Gastric Ulcers and Cancer
Gastric Ulcer
Definition: the depth of loss of tissue goes beyond the mucosa
(i.e. into the submucosa)
Chronic ulcers are characterised by scarring and fibrosis
IMPORTANT: ALL ulcers should be biopsied to exclude
malignancy
Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Intestinal: well-differentiated, mucin-containing glands
Diffuse: poorly differentiated, composed of single cells,
no gland formation
Linitis plastica
Signet ring cell carcinoma
Types
Niche Gastric Cancer (5%)
Squamous cell carcinoma
Lymphoma
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour
Neuroendocrine tumour
15. Malabsorption due to Partial Villous Atrophy
Villous atrophy
Crypt hyperplasia
Increased intraepithelial
lymphocytes
16. Malabsorption due to Partial Villous Atrophy
Lymphocytic Duodenitis: inflammatory changes without architectural changes
i.e. increased intraepithelial lymphocytes but no villous atrophy/crypt
hyperplasia
Coeliac Disease: inflammatory and architectural changes
Many will go on to develop coeliac disease
Investigations
Antibodies: tissue transglutaminase and endomysial
Duodenal Biopsy: showing villous atrophy whilst ingesting gluten
Tropical Sprue: form of malabsorption with similar histology to coeliac disease
18. Pseudomembranous Colitis
Px: explosive watery diarrhoea, usually after a course of antibiotics
Ix: C. difficile stool toxin assay
Rx: Metronidazole Vancomycin Fidaxomicin Faecal Transplant
19. Ischaemic Colitis
Definition: inflammation and injury of the large
intestine caused by an inadequate blood supply
Watershed: area between the supply of
the SMA and IMA
Causes
Arterial (e.g. thrombus)
Venous (e.g. hypercoagulable)
Small vessel disease (e.g. DM)
Low flow (e.g. shock)
Obstruction (e.g. hernia)
20. Polyps and Adenomas
Polyp
Neoplastic
Non-Neoplastic
Tubular adenoma
Tubulovillous adenoma
Villous adenoma
Hyperplastic
Inflammatory (pseudopolyp)
Hamartomatous
FAP
Autosomal dominant
APC tumour suppressor
gene
Large numbers of polyps,
pretty much everyone gets
cancer
Gardner Syndrome
Same features as FAP
Extra-intestinal manifestations:
Osteomas
Desmoid tumours
Dental caries
Supernumerary teeth
HNPCC
Autosomal dominant
DNA mismatch repair
genes
High risk of cancer,
no polyps
21. Answer 1
A 45-year-old man presents to his GP with a 3-month history of
worsening dysphagia. He is now unable to comfortably swallow
solid foods. He has never suffered from heartburn and takes no
regular medications. He has a 20 pack year smoking history
and drinks in moderation. A barium swallow identifies an apple
core lesion in the middle third of the oesophagus. This is
followed by an OGD and biopsy which reveals abnormal
keratinised cells with intercellular bridges that have invaded the
basement membrane. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Barrett’s oesophagus
B Transitional cell carcinoma
C Oesophageal lymphoma
D Adenocarcinoma
E Squamous cell carcinoma
22. Answer 2
A 16-year-old girl has suffered from diarrhoea for the past 6
months. She describes the diarrhoea as foul-smelling and has
lost 5 kg over this time period. An endoscopy and biopsy
reveals increased intraepithelial lymphocytes with a 2:1 villous
to crypt ratio. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Lymphocytic duodenitis
B Coeliac disease
C Crohn’s disease
D Duodenal MALToma
E Linitis plastica
24. Question 5
A 36-year-old woman who was identified as having
an abnormal cervical smear, underwent a cervical
excision biopsy which reveals cervical glandular
intraepithelial neoplasia. Which type of cancer
would this have progressed to if left untreated?
A Adenocarcinoma
B Krukenberg tumour
C Squamous cell carcinoma
D Transitional cell carcinoma
E Serous carcinoma
25. Cervical Cancer
Risk Factors
• HPV 16 and 18
• Multiple sexual partners
• Smoking
• Immunosuppression
Tumorigenesis
HPV 16 and 18 encode two
proteins that inactivate tumour
suppressor genes
E6 – p53
E7 – retinoblastoma
Squamous
Columnar
Transformation
26. Cervical Cancer
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)
Dysplastic changes within the epithelium with an intact basement membrane.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Progresses to
Histological classification
CGIN: cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia progresses to adenocarcinoma (20%)
27. Endometrial Cancer
Risk Factors
• OESTROGEN
• Nulliparity
• Obesity
• Diabetes mellitus
• COCP
• Tamoxifen
• HRT
• Early menarche
• Late menopause
Type 1 (85%) Type 2 (15%)
Endometrioid
Mucinous
Secretory
Types Serous
Clear cell
Types
Younger patients
Oestrogen-dependent
Associated with atypical
endometrial hyperplasia
Usually low grade
Features
Older patients
Less oestrogen-dependent
Arises from atrophic
endometrium
Higher grade, deeper
invasion
Features
28. Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (Molar Pregnancy)
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: a spectrum of tumours and tumour-like conditions
characterised by proliferation of pregnancy-associated trophoblastic tissue.
Complete
Empty
23X 23X
OR
23X
46XX
Partial
23X 23X
OR
46XY
23X 69XXY
30. Epithelial Ovarian Tumours
Type Features
Serous
MOST COMMON
Arise from bland epithelium
May be benign, borderline or malignant
Mucinous Mucin-secreting epithelium
Endometrioid
10-20% associated with endometriosis
Co-existence of endometrial carcinoma is
common
Better prognosis than mucinous/serous
Clear cell STRONG association with endometriosis
31. Sex Cord Stromal Tumours
Type Features
Fibroma
Benign
No endocrine production
Granulosa cell tumour
Variable behaviour
May produce oestrogen
Thecoma
Benign
May produce oestrogen
Rarely produces androgens
Sertoli-Leydig cell
tumour
Variable behaviour
May be androgenic
32. Germ Cell Tumours and Secondary Tumours
Secondary Tumours
Krukenberg Tumour
• Bilateral metastases
• Mucin-producing signet-
ring cells
• Usually from gastric or
breast cancer
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
33. Question 5
A 36-year-old woman who was identified as having
an abnormal cervical smear, underwent a cervical
excision biopsy which reveals cervical glandular
intraepithelial neoplasia. Which type of cancer
would this have progressed to if left untreated?
A Adenocarcinoma
B Krukenberg tumour
C Squamous cell carcinoma
D Transitional cell carcinoma
E Serous carcinoma
35. Question 6
A 55-year-old woman has been referred to the dermatology
outpatient clinic by her GP after developing multiple blisters
on her face. On examination, the blisters are flaccid and
extend across her face and shoulders. A biopsy is taken,
and immunofluorescence analysis reveals of IgG deposition
across the middle of the epidermis.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Pemphigus Vulgaris
B Pemphigus Foliaceus
C Bullous Pemphigoid
D Erythroderma
E Epidermolysis Bullosa
42. Answer 6
A 55-year-old woman has been referred to the dermatology
outpatient clinic by her GP after developing multiple blisters
on her face. On examination, the blisters are flaccid and
extend across her face and shoulders. A biopsy is taken,
and immunofluorescence analysis reveals of IgG deposition
across the middle of the epidermis.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A Pemphigus Vulgaris
B Pemphigus Foliaceus
C Bullous Pemphigoid
D Erythroderma
E Epidermolysis Bullosa
44. Question 1
A 35-year-old female patient has developed right upper
quadrant pain with a fever over the past week. On
examination, she is visibly jaundiced with excoriation marks
across her arms and torso and hepatomegaly is noted. She
has a past medical history of ulcerative colitis and asthma. A
biopsy of her liver is taken.
What histological features would you expect to see?
A Regenerating hepatocytes limited by a fibrous cuff
B Bile duct obliterations with surrounding granulomas
C Bile duct fibrosis
D Ballooning with Mallory Denck bodies
E Accumulation of iron-rich macrophages
45. Answer 1
A 35-year-old female patient has developed right upper
quadrant pain with a fever over the past week. On
examination, she is visibly jaundiced with excoriation marks
across her arms and torso and hepatomegaly is noted. She
has a past medical history of ulcerative colitis and asthma. A
biopsy of her liver is taken.
What histological features would you expect to see?
A Regenerating hepatocytes limited by a fibrous cuff
B Bile duct obliterations with surrounding granulomas
C Bile duct fibrosis
D Ballooning with Mallory Denck bodies
E Accumulation of iron-rich macrophages
46. Question 2
A 53-year-old woman has recently undergone a
cholecystectomy after a long-history of biliary cholic and
chronic cholecystitis. Which of the following features would
you expect to see on histological analysis of the gallbladder?
A Predominance of lymphocytes and macrophages with
Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses
B Predominance of neutrophils with fibrosis
C Glandular to squamous metaplasia
D Cyst formation
E Presence of signet ring cells
47. Answer 2
A 53-year-old woman has recently undergone a
cholecystectomy after a long-history of biliary cholic and
chronic cholecystitis. Which of the following features would
you expect to see on histological analysis of the gallbladder?
A Predominance of lymphocytes and macrophages with
Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses
B Predominance of neutrophils with fibrosis
C Glandular to squamous metaplasia
D Cyst formation
E Presence of signet ring cells
48. Question 6
A 57-year-old woman was identified as having a
suspicious lesion on mammography. A biopsy is
taken which identifies a central zone of scarring
surrounded by proliferating glandular tissue. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A Fibroadenoma
B Intraductal papilloma
C Phyllodes tumour
D Invasive ductal carcinoma
E Radial scar
49. Question 6
A 57-year-old woman was identified as having a
suspicious lesion on mammography. A biopsy is
taken which identifies a central zone of scarring
surrounded by proliferating glandular tissue. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A Fibroadenoma
B Intraductal papilloma
C Phyllodes tumour
D Invasive ductal carcinoma
E Radial scar