Library
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Melanocytes are cells that produce a pigment called melanin. They are found in many parts of the body where there is pigment, particularly skin, hair and eyes.
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Squamous cell carcinoma in situ is a disordered growth of the skin epidermis which may extend to include epithelium of the upper part of the hair follicles.
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Most cancers originate from the lining of the nose (epithelium). Benign tumours (adenomas) are rare but if they are surgically removable, they are curable. Malignant tumours (carcinomas) are more common with many different types.
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Neuroendocrine cells produce rare tumours (carcinoids, Merkel cell tumours and neuroendocrine tumours). In general, the tumours are slow growing but will eventually spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
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Chemodectomas are tumours of the chemoreceptors. They include both benign (non-spreading) adenomas and malignant carcinomas.
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Essential fatty acids (EPAs) are fats and oils that are essential in the diet because the body cannot make them. They are extremely important nutrients for health.
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An epulis (plural epuli) is the clinical name for a swelling on the gums. Several different tumours share this name, often of different origins including the tooth-socket lining and lining epithelium of the mouth.
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Oral fibrosarcomas are rapidly growing, malignant tumours originating from the fibrous connective tissue of the mouth. The tumours are rarely cured by surgical removal.
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Oral melanoma (malignant melanoma or melanosarcoma) is a tumour of melanin pigment producing cells (melanocytes). The cancers are rapidly growing and unfortunately are rarely completely cured by surgical removal.
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Oral papillomas are benign tumours of the epithelial lining of the mouth and throat caused by papillomaviruses. The viruses are specific for that species of animal and fairly site specific but can be transmitted to skin or eyes if the protective outer epithelium is damaged.