Difference between revisions of "Hamartoma"

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A '''hamartoma''' is a:<ref>URL: [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=84157 http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=84157]. Accessed on: 22 November 2010.</ref>
A '''hamartoma''' is a:<ref>URL: [http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=84157 http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=84157]. Accessed on: 22 November 2010.</ref><ref name=Ref_PCPBoD8_147>{{Ref PCPBoD8|147}}</ref>
#Disorganized non-neoplastic growth (that may mimic a true neoplasm).
#Disorganized (non-neoplastic) growth (that may mimic a true neoplasm).
#*May be clonal.
#*May have recurrent genetic [[translocations]].
#Composed of tissue of the region within it is found.
#Composed of tissue of the region within it is found.


Notes:
===Note 1===
*If #2 does ''not'' apply it is a ''choristomas''.
#If #2 does ''not'' apply it is a ''[[choristoma]]''.
*"Disorganized" in #1 separates it from hypertrophy and hyperplasia (quasi-physiologic processes).
#"Disorganized" in #1 separates it from:
#*Hypertrophy and hyperplasia - which may be physiologic processes.
#The '''key differences''' between cancer and hamartoma are the ability of cancer to:
#*Invade/destroy surrounding tissue.
#*Metastasize.
#Considered clinically, ''growth'' is the difference between a ''benign tumour'' (measurable growth rate) and a ''hamartoma'' (no growth vis-à-vis the surrounding tissue).
#Hamartomas often consist of:
#*Multiple cell types, e.g. [[Peutz-Jeghers polyps]] consist of normal submucosal elements.
#*Have a well-circumscribed border.
 
===Note 2===
There is much confusion in this area as:
*''Clonality'' is usually considered a characteristic of neoplasms.
*The line between ''benign tumour'' and ''hamartoma'' is thin, if one considers that a hamartoma can be clonal and some benign tumours have a slow growth rate.
*If one considers ''choristoma'' (hamartoma's cousin), the line between ''benign tumour'' (e.g. teratoma/dermoid cyst) and ''choristoma'' is thin.
 
A more useful definition of ''hamartoma'' might be:
#Architecturally disorganized tissue that appears to be native to the site.
#No significant growth (vis-à-vis the surrounding tissue).
 
VL opinion: ''hamartoma'' (and ''choristoma'') are useless descriptors and the terms should just be done away with. 


==Site specific==
==Site specific==

Revision as of 03:46, 8 September 2011

A hamartoma is a:[1][2]

  1. Disorganized (non-neoplastic) growth (that may mimic a true neoplasm).
  2. Composed of tissue of the region within it is found.

Note 1

  1. If #2 does not apply it is a choristoma.
  2. "Disorganized" in #1 separates it from:
    • Hypertrophy and hyperplasia - which may be physiologic processes.
  3. The key differences between cancer and hamartoma are the ability of cancer to:
    • Invade/destroy surrounding tissue.
    • Metastasize.
  4. Considered clinically, growth is the difference between a benign tumour (measurable growth rate) and a hamartoma (no growth vis-à-vis the surrounding tissue).
  5. Hamartomas often consist of:
    • Multiple cell types, e.g. Peutz-Jeghers polyps consist of normal submucosal elements.
    • Have a well-circumscribed border.

Note 2

There is much confusion in this area as:

  • Clonality is usually considered a characteristic of neoplasms.
  • The line between benign tumour and hamartoma is thin, if one considers that a hamartoma can be clonal and some benign tumours have a slow growth rate.
  • If one considers choristoma (hamartoma's cousin), the line between benign tumour (e.g. teratoma/dermoid cyst) and choristoma is thin.

A more useful definition of hamartoma might be:

  1. Architecturally disorganized tissue that appears to be native to the site.
  2. No significant growth (vis-à-vis the surrounding tissue).

VL opinion: hamartoma (and choristoma) are useless descriptors and the terms should just be done away with.

Site specific

See also

References

  1. URL: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=84157. Accessed on: 22 November 2010.
  2. Mitchell, Richard; Kumar, Vinay; Fausto, Nelson; Abbas, Abul K.; Aster, Jon (2011). Pocket Companion to Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (8th ed.). Elsevier Saunders. pp. 147. ISBN 978-1416054542.