In histology, a signet ring cell is a cell with a large vacuole. The malignant type is seen predominantly in carcinomas. Signet ring cells are most frequently associated with stomach cancer,Cancer Research UK. Signet Ring Cancer. cancerhelp.org.uk. URL: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=7581 . Accessed on: November 2, 2007. but can arise from any number of tissues including the prostate, bladder, gallbladder, breast, colon, ovarian stroma and testis.
Types The NCI Thesaurus identifies the following types of signet ring cell Castration cell, a non-malignant cell arising in the anterior pituitary gland under certain abnormal hormonal conditions. Neoplastic thyroid gland follicular signet ring cell Signet ring adenocarcinoma cell Signet ring melanoma cell Signet ring stromal cell
Appearance The name of the cell comes from its appearance; signet ring cells resemble signet rings. They contain a large amount of mucin, which pushes the nucleus to the cell periphery. The pool of mucin in a signet ring cell mimics the appearance of a finger hole and the nucleus mimics the appearance of the face of the ring in profile.
Diagnostic significance A significant number of signet ring cells, generally, are associated with a worse prognosis.Cabebe EC, Mehta VK, Fisher G. Gastric Cancer. eMedicine.com. URL: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic845.htm. Accessed on: November 8, 2007.
Classification of carcinomas SRC carcinomas can be classified using immunohistochemistry.
See also Signet ring cell carcinoma
References
External links Signet ring cells - med.Utah.edu. Signet ring cell definition - cancer.gov. Signet ring cell cancer information - sites.google.com/site/signetringcancer.