signet ring cell (castration cell)

Introduction

Basophilic cells characterized by a large cytoplasmic vacuole that displaces the nucleus to the periphery of the cell giving the appearance of a signet ring.

Occurrence

• anterior lobe of the pituitary following castration
• mucin-containing carcinoma (metastatic)
  • gastric cancer
  • colon cancer
  • breast cancer
  • ovarian cancer
  • bladder cancer
  • prostate cancer

Laboratory

• signet ring cells in colorectal cancer

More general terms

• cell