Colon

Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (mucinous), colon

Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (mucinous), colon

Adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumor, originating from glandular epithelium of the colorectal mucosa. It invades the wall, infiltrating the muscularis mucosae, the submucosa and thence the muscularis propria. Tumor cells are discohesive and secrete mucus which invades the interstitium producing large pools of mucus/colloid (optically "empty" spaces) - mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated. If the mucus remains inside the tumor cell, it pushes the nucleus at the periphery, against the cell membrane - "signet-ring cell". (H&E, ob. x20)

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Last updated : 01/30/2009