are all atypical cells cancerous?
468681
atypical cells can be "normal"  your doctor can answer that question.  we have a number of cells in our body, and those in our blood and urine can be atypical without meaning cancer.  talk with your doctor to be reassured what they mean in your case.
103593
All lumps are not cancer. That might even be a small hydrocoele(fluid in your ball-due to trauma) Sometimes even a lipoma or sebaceous cyst may be there Dont worry about the terms though tey may appear terrifyng they are benign.Go to your surgeon . They would let you know
1084388
Small cell lung cancer has been called oat cell cancer because the cells resemble oats when seen under a microscope. This cancer usually originates in the lung's large central airways (the bronchi). It accounts for about 20% of all lung cancers. In some cases, small cell tumors also include cells that have non small cell features. This condition is called a mixed tumor. \n\nSmall cell lung cancer is among the fastest growing cancers. In two-thirds of people with this cancer, the cancer already has spread (metastasized) by the time of diagnosis. The cancer can spread easily because of the constant flow of fluids through the lungs. These fluids consist of blood and lymph (a protein-filled fluid from the lymphatic system). The fluids can carry cancer cells to lymph nodes, the heart, the other lung and to organs outside of the chest. Small cell lung cancers spread most commonly to the brain, liver, adrenal glands and bone. \n\nSymptoms\n\nAlthough some cancers do not have any symptoms at first, others are diagnosed during an evaluation for any of the following:\n\nA persistent cough \nCoughing up blood (hemoptysis) \nShortness of breath or wheezing \nUnexplained weight loss or loss of appetite \nFatigue \nDifficulty swallowing \nPain in the chest, shoulder or arm \nBone pain \nHoarseness \nHeadaches, confusion or seizures \nSwelling of the face, neck or upper extremities \n\nDiagnosis\n\nLung cancer often is discovered on a chest X-ray, where it appears as a gray or whitish area. Other imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can further determine the size, shape and location of the tumor, and locate areas where the tumor has spread. This helps to find the best place to obtain a sample of the tumor to diagnose small cell versus other types of lung cancer, such as squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the lung. The type of cancer determines the treatment. \n\nSmall cell lung cancer sometimes can be diagnosed with a technique called sputum cytology, in which mucus from the lungs (sputum) is examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. Cancer cells also can be found in the fluid between the lung and the chest wall (requiring a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid) or in lymph nodes next to the lung (requiring a surgical procedure).\n\nAnother diagnostic technique is needle aspiration, in which fluid or tissue is removed (aspirated) from lymph nodes or suspicious masses. Cells also can be removed during bronchoscopy. A fiber optic viewing tube is inserted into the lung through the mouth and bronchial tubes. It allows the doctor to examine the tumor directly and to remove cells for examination.\n\nIn addition to the above tests, you may need a bone scan, bone marrow biopsy, CT scan of the head and additional biopsies to determine the degree of tumor spread. Small cell lung cancer has two stages:\n\nLimited cancer is confined to one lung and nearby lymph nodes. \nExtensive cancer has spread to both sides of the chest or beyond the chest.
147695
well to be scientifically correct (i think but hey im 16 so what do i know) i think all of us have "cancer" cells when we are concieved, but i think it takes somethin to activate them, so really, technically speaking (refer to comment above) i think its when u are born..? but i know thats not what u asked so lets see, i knew a girl that got breast cancer (at least she found out about it) 2 months after she graduated from high school
528174
Tumours result from the over multiplication of cells. They may develop into cancers (malignant tumours) if not treated properly. \nCancers result from abnormal, uncontrollable growth of cells that kill other cells within the body and can occur anywhere in the body.
588309
Breast Cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control enabling them to invade nearby tissues or even spread through the body. Sizable collections of the out of control tissue are called tumors. Not all Brest Tumors are considered to be cancer because certain types of large cell collections cannot spread or threaten a person's life. The preceding type of tumor is called a benign tumor. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered to be cancerous cells and are called malignant tumors. In theory, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form cancer cells, but usually cancer comes from either ducts or glands in the breast. Because it may take months or years for a tumor to get large enough to notice in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it.
909728
Theirs no way to know with out a biopsy, that is a medical procedure carried out to remove cells that are then analysed to see if they are cancerous or normal....he shouldn't worry, most lumps turn out to be normal growths, but he should definitely make an appointment asap to see his doctor! Most cancers can be treated once found at the early stages....
343262
No. Cancer is due to genetic changes (mutations) that develop in cells when they divide. Most of these changes get repaired at the cellular level but some are not. If the change makes the cell behave and grow abnormally then this is cancer. Lots of environmental factors increase the risk of mutations or genetic changes including toxins in cigarette smoke - this is why cigarettes cause cancer.
33392
Precancerous cells are cells that may, or are likely to, become cancer.\n\nPrecancerous cells have little capacity to repair their DNA and so are more likely to become cancerous.
504096
Presumably you don't mean monosomy X? Monosomy 10 seems to be something associated with some types of tumor cells not with a genetic disorder at birth
442064
Benign tumors are noncancerous. Most are asymptomatic, are discovered incidentally, and are not immediately life threatening. \n\nTypes include Renal adenomas, Renal Oncocytoma, Angiomyolipoma, Fibroma, Lipoma, which are ALL benign, or, of course, Renal Carcinoma.  You can read about each of these tumors at:  http://www.urologychannel.com/kidneycancer/benign.shtml\n\nRemember to be diligent about your follow up care.  Do the tests your doctors request and keep keep the lines of communication open with your health care providers.
736725
Pilomatrix Carcinoma:\n\nPilomatrixoma, also known as pilomatricoma, and calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is an uncommon benign tumor of hair matrix origin.  Malherbe and Cheantais first described the lesion in 1880 and originally believed the lesion was a benign tumor of the sebaceous glands.  The lesions typically occur on the head and neck and are more common in females.  There are two peaks of occurrence with age.  The first is before the third decade, with greater than 60% occurring at this time.  The second is during the sixth and seventh decades (3).  Histologically, pilomatrixomas are characterized by irregularly shaped islands of small basaloid epithelial cells.  The basaloid cells generally have small uniform nuclei and scant cytoplasm with indistinct cell borders surrounded by fibrillary material.  Also often noted are a variable degree of squamous differentiation and sheets of ghost cells that occasionally are mixed with stroma containing multinucleated giant cells.  \n\nCalcifications may or may not be conspicuous.  Pilomatrix carcinoma is an exceedingly rare locally aggressive and destructive tumor that usually arises from a pilomatrixoma.    Bony invasion and occasional distant metastases have been reported (2).  The carcinoma is more common in males than females, with a ratio of 2:1 in a review of 72 cases in the literature (2).  Imaging studies such as MRI or CT may be useful to evaluate pilomatrix carcinoma that does not respond to wide local excision with negative margins.  Histologically, Pilomatrix carcinoma is characterized by more numerous and atypical mitoses, nuclear atypia, tumor necrosis, and infiltration into subcutaneous fat, blood vessels, nerve and muscle.  Aggressive wide local excision is required for treatment.
724906
I have seen them light up when there is inflammation present. I would expect that they would be larger if they were malignant. Given your history, I think it is important to biopsy and treat this as a malignancy until proven otherwise. Hopefully, you will be a false positive. Good luck with your biopsy.
681303
In addition to the above individuals with cancer may have cells with a different DNA sequence due to deletions, mutations, and additions.  \n\nThere is also a possibility that an individual can have mossaicism causing different cells in the body to have a different DNA sequence.  Mossaicism occurs when two embryos merge to form one in the uterus.  In most cases a majority of the cells will have one DNA a sequence, but some tissues will have a different sequence from the embryo that was 'absorbed.'
1046883
Is this for curiosity's sake, or a serious medical question? I only ask because in the latter case it's best to get information directly from the doctor treating the disease. I will say, however, that these things depend on a number of variables. First, do you mean "large small cell tumor?" What stage is it in? Has it metastasized (spread to other organs)? How healthy is the patient? How old?\n\nSmall cell carcinoma is a very aggressive cancer, spreading quickly and not always detected at an early stage. However it is also very responsive to radiation and chemotherapy, making it easier to treat once it's found. If the patient is healthy and able to endure the treatment, once they reach the 2 year mark things are looking good.
288195
depends on the type of cancer, it is a disease and can come in lots of different areas of the body.
984053
Cancer of the heart is called angiosarcoma. Very rare.