Large cell: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:15, 21 February 2025

Overview of large cell characteristics in pathology

Overview[edit]

A microscopic image of a tumor giant cell, a type of large cell.

In the field of pathology, a large cell is a type of cell that is significantly larger than the typical cells found in the same tissue. Large cells can be found in various tissues and are often associated with certain diseases and conditions. They are characterized by their increased size, which can be due to a variety of factors including increased cytoplasmic volume, nuclear enlargement, or both.

Characteristics[edit]

Large cells are often identified by their distinct morphological features. These features include:

Increased cell size: Large cells are typically much larger than the surrounding cells in the tissue.
Nuclear enlargement: The nucleus of a large cell is often enlarged, which can be due to increased DNA content or other factors.
Abundant cytoplasm: Large cells often have a greater volume of cytoplasm compared to normal cells.
Prominent nucleoli: The nucleoli within the nucleus of large cells are often more prominent and easily visible under a microscope.

Types of Large Cells[edit]

Large cells can be classified into several types based on their origin and characteristics:

Tumor giant cells: These are large cells found in certain types of cancer, such as giant cell tumor of bone and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. They are characterized by their multinucleated nature and are often associated with aggressive tumor behavior.
Reed-Sternberg cells: These are large, abnormal lymphocytes found in Hodgkin's lymphoma. They are binucleated or multinucleated and have a distinctive appearance.
Megakaryocytes: These are large bone marrow cells responsible for the production of platelets. They have a large, lobulated nucleus and abundant cytoplasm.

Clinical Significance[edit]

The presence of large cells in a tissue sample can be indicative of various pathological conditions. For example, the presence of tumor giant cells can suggest a diagnosis of a high-grade malignancy. Similarly, the identification of Reed-Sternberg cells is crucial for the diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Diagnosis[edit]

The identification of large cells is typically performed through histopathological examination of tissue samples. Techniques such as immunohistochemistry may be used to further characterize these cells and determine their origin and nature.

Related pages[edit]

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-== Large Cell Tumor of Bone ==
+{{Short description|Overview of large cell characteristics in pathology}}
-[[File:Large_cell_Tumor_giant_cell.jpg|thumb|right|Histological image of a large cell tumor of bone showing characteristic giant cells.]]
+==Overview==
+[[File:Tumor_giant_cell.jpg|thumb|right|A microscopic image of a tumor giant cell, a type of large cell.]]
+In the field of [[pathology]], a '''large cell''' is a type of cell that is significantly larger than the typical cells found in the same tissue. Large cells can be found in various [[tissues]] and are often associated with certain [[diseases]] and [[conditions]]. They are characterized by their increased size, which can be due to a variety of factors including increased cytoplasmic volume, nuclear enlargement, or both.
-A '''large cell tumor of bone''' is a type of [[bone tumor]] that is generally benign but can be aggressive and locally destructive. It is characterized by the presence of numerous large, multinucleated [[giant cells]] that resemble [[osteoclasts]]. These tumors typically occur in the [[epiphysis]] of long bones, such as the [[distal femur]], [[proximal tibia]], and [[distal radius]].
+==Characteristics==
+Large cells are often identified by their distinct morphological features. These features include:
-== Epidemiology ==
+* '''Increased cell size''': Large cells are typically much larger than the surrounding cells in the tissue.
+* '''Nuclear enlargement''': The nucleus of a large cell is often enlarged, which can be due to increased [[DNA]] content or other factors.
+* '''Abundant cytoplasm''': Large cells often have a greater volume of cytoplasm compared to normal cells.
+* '''Prominent nucleoli''': The nucleoli within the nucleus of large cells are often more prominent and easily visible under a microscope.
-Large cell tumors of bone account for approximately 5% of all primary bone tumors. They are most commonly diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. There is a slight female predominance in the occurrence of these tumors.
+==Types of Large Cells==
+Large cells can be classified into several types based on their origin and characteristics:
-== Pathophysiology ==
+* '''[[Tumor giant cells]]''': These are large cells found in certain types of [[cancer]], such as [[giant cell tumor of bone]] and [[anaplastic large cell lymphoma]]. They are characterized by their multinucleated nature and are often associated with aggressive tumor behavior.
+* '''[[Reed-Sternberg cells]]''': These are large, abnormal lymphocytes found in [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]]. They are binucleated or multinucleated and have a distinctive appearance.
+* '''[[Megakaryocytes]]''': These are large bone marrow cells responsible for the production of [[platelets]]. They have a large, lobulated nucleus and abundant cytoplasm.
-The pathogenesis of large cell tumors of bone is not completely understood. The tumor is composed of a mixture of mononuclear stromal cells and multinucleated giant cells. The stromal cells are considered the neoplastic component, while the giant cells are reactive and resemble [[osteoclasts]].
+==Clinical Significance==
+The presence of large cells in a tissue sample can be indicative of various pathological conditions. For example, the presence of tumor giant cells can suggest a diagnosis of a high-grade malignancy. Similarly, the identification of Reed-Sternberg cells is crucial for the diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
-== Clinical Presentation ==
+==Diagnosis==
+The identification of large cells is typically performed through [[histopathological]] examination of tissue samples. Techniques such as [[immunohistochemistry]] may be used to further characterize these cells and determine their origin and nature.
-Patients with large cell tumors of bone typically present with localized pain and swelling. The pain is often insidious in onset and may be associated with decreased range of motion in the affected joint. Pathological fractures can occur due to the weakening of the bone structure.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Pathology]]
+* [[Histology]]
+* [[Cytology]]
+* [[Cancer]]
+* [[Lymphoma]]
-== Diagnosis ==
+[[Category:Pathology]]
+[[Category:Cell biology]]
-[[File:Large_cell_Tumor_giant_cell.jpg|thumb|left|Close-up of giant cells in a large cell tumor of bone.]]
-Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, imaging studies, and histological examination. [[X-ray]] imaging typically shows a lytic lesion in the epiphysis of a long bone. [[Magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) and [[computed tomography]] (CT) scans can provide further detail about the extent of the tumor. A biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to differentiate it from other bone lesions.
-== Treatment ==
-The primary treatment for large cell tumors of bone is surgical resection. The goal is to remove the tumor completely while preserving as much of the surrounding bone and joint function as possible. In some cases, [[curettage]] with adjuvant therapy, such as [[cryotherapy]] or [[phenol]], is used to reduce the risk of recurrence. In more aggressive cases, wide resection and reconstruction may be necessary.
-== Prognosis ==
-The prognosis for patients with large cell tumors of bone is generally good, especially if the tumor is completely resected. However, there is a risk of local recurrence, and in rare cases, the tumor can metastasize, most commonly to the [[lungs]].
-== Related Pages ==
-* [[Bone tumor]]
-* [[Osteoclast]]
-* [[Epiphysis]]
-* [[Curettage]]
-[[Category:Bone tumors]]