giant cell

gi·ant cell

a cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

Any markedly enlarged cell seen in benign or malignant lesions; while giant cells are highly nonspecific, their presence in the proper setting supports the diagnosis of certain diseases; the epithelioid giant cells of Langhans and Touton are associated with infections and other ‘benign’ processes—e.g., sarcoidosis—have abundant cytoplasm and a rim or clutch of enlarged histiocyte-like nuclei; giant cells in tumours are less inhibited by rules of cytologic etiquette and are anointed with adjectival modifiers—e.g., bizarre, monster, osteoclastoma-like, Reed-Sternberg; the cell may be markedly enlarged and mitotically active

giant cell

Any markedly enlarged cell seen in benign or malignant lesions; although GCs are highly nonspecific, their presence in the proper setting supports the diagnosis of certain diseases; the epithelioid GCs of Langerhans and Touton are associated with infections and other 'benign' processes–eg, sarcoidosis, have abundant cytoplasm and a rim or clutch of enlarged histiocyte-like nuclei; GCs in tumors are less inhibited by rules of cytologic etiquette and are anointed with adjectival modifiers–eg, bizarre, monster, osteoclastoma-like, Reed-Sternberg; the cell may be markedly enlarged and mitotically active.

gi·ant cell

(jī'ănt sel)

A cell of large size, often with many nuclei.

giant cell

A large multinucleate cell formed from the fusion of many MACROPHAGES. Giant cells are often a feature of granulomas.

gi·ant cell

(jī'ănt sel)

A cell of large size, often with many nuclei.