Oncocyte

Oncocyte is a term used in histology to describe a cell that is characterized by an excessive number of mitochondria, resulting in a granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm. Oncocytes can be found in several different types of tumors and hyperplasias, most commonly in the kidney, thyroid, salivary glands, and parathyroid glands.

Etymology

The term "oncocyte" is derived from the Greek words onkos (mass or bulk) and -cyte (cell). It was first used in the medical literature by H.M. Rabson and P.P. Rosen in 1980.

Characteristics

Oncocytes are large cells, often larger than the surrounding normal cells. They have a granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm due to the presence of abundant mitochondria. The nucleus of an oncocyte is usually small and round, and is often located at the periphery of the cell.

Pathology

Oncocytes can be found in a variety of benign and malignant tumors, as well as in hyperplasias. They are most commonly found in the kidney, where they are associated with oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. In the thyroid, oncocytes are associated with Hürthle cell adenoma and Hürthle cell carcinoma. In the salivary glands, they are associated with oncocytoma and Warthin's tumor. In the parathyroid glands, they are associated with parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid carcinoma.

See also

• Oncocytoma
• Hürthle cell
• Warthin's tumor

References

Oncocyte Resources
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