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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. | ||
===Note 1=== | |||
#If #2 does ''not'' apply it is a ''[[choristoma]]''. | |||
#"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== | ||