Hamartoma

From Libre Pathology
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

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.
Micrograph of a pulmonary hamartoma. H&E stain.

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).

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.