Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (782 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Characteristic cells of granulomatous hypersensitivity. They appear as large, flattened cells with increased endoplasmic reticulum. They are believed to be activated macrophages that have differentiated as a result of prolonged antigenic stimulation. Further differentiation or fusion of epithelioid cells is thought to produce multinucleated giant cells (giant cells).
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cell, Epithelioid; Cells, Epithelioid; Epithelioid Cell.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Macrophages
- See also
- Giant Cells
Related concepts
- Giant Cells
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 1,097 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Epithelioid Cells” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 173 of them (15.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2000-2009 with 410 records.
Reviews account for 137 records (12.5%) and meta-analyses for 2. Randomized controlled trials number 1 (0.1%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 135 |
| 2000-2009 | 410 |
| 2010-2019 | 379 |
| 2020 onward | 173 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 137 | 12.5% |
| Meta-analyses | 2 | 0.2% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1 | 0.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Epithelioid Cells"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Four-Year Follow-up Study of Renal Epithelioid Angiomyolipoma: A Multi-Center Experience and Literature Review | 2015 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 45 | cc by PMID 25939249 · DOI · PMC4419536 |
| Primary PEComa of the bladder treated with primary excision and adjuvant interferon-alpha immunotherapy: a case report | 2006 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 42 | cc by PMID 16925812 · DOI · PMC1564030 |
| Epithelial but not stromal expression of collagen alpha-1(III) is a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of colorectal carcinoma | 2016 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 39 | cc by PMID 26741506 · DOI · PMC4891007 |
| "Colon"ised by the unexpected: a case of extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 40413529 · DOI · PMC12102896 |
A Four-Year Follow-up Study of Renal Epithelioid Angiomyolipoma: A Multi-Center Experience and Literature Review [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- In this study, we systematically explored the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) retrospectively by analyzing data of 52 patients diagnosed with EAML at four centers.
- Closing excerpt
- Once diagnosed, integrated approaches, including surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, should be considered; a close follow-up regimen is necessary for cases that met: 1) tumor size>9 cm, 2) tumor thrombus formation in the vein, 3) epithelioid cells>70% or atypia cells>60%, and 4) necrosis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (181 words)
In this study, we systematically explored the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) retrospectively by analyzing data of 52 patients diagnosed with EAML at four centers. Our results showed that the onset of EAML was usually inconspicuous, and so no obvious symptoms or signs had occurred in most patients at diagnosis. Its diagnoses always depended on postoperative pathological examination. The immunohistochemical (IHC) results [HMB45 ( + ), cytokeratin (-), and S100 (-)] could be used to differentiate EAML from other malignancies such as renal cell cancer (RCC) and sarcomas. For treatment, surgery resulted in satisfactory short-term prognosis. The long-term prognosis of patients with EAML was poor, particularly when a large size, a high percentage of epithelioid component, tumor thrombus formation, and necrosis were present. In conclusion, EAML is a tumor with malignant potential. Once diagnosed, integrated approaches, including surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, should be considered; a close follow-up regimen is necessary for cases that met: 1) tumor size>9 cm, 2) tumor thrombus formation in the vein, 3) epithelioid cells>70% or atypia cells>60%, and 4) necrosis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 25939249 · DOI · PMC4419536
Primary PEComa of the bladder treated with primary excision and adjuvant interferon-alpha immunotherapy: a case report [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundPerivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of uncertain malignant potential, which have in common the co-expression of muscle and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionThis case represents the second documented PEComa of bladder and demonstrates that adjuvant therapies, including anti-angiogenic and immunotherapy, may be considered for patients with locally advanced or metastatic genitourinary PEComa.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (137 words)
BackgroundPerivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of uncertain malignant potential, which have in common the co-expression of muscle and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers.Case presentationA 48-year-old man presented with dysuria, passage of urinary sediment and lower abdominal discomfort. A three centimeter mass was identified by cystoscopy in the posterior midline of the bladder. Computerized tomography suggested an enterovesical fistula. The patient underwent laparotomy, partial cystectomy and partial small bowel resection. Pathological examination revealed PEComa of the bladder. The patient underwent adjuvant interferon-alpha immunotherapy. Subsequent follow-up procedures, including cystoscopy and imaging, have not revealed evidence of recurrence. The patient is clinically free of disease 48 months after surgery.ConclusionThis case represents the second documented PEComa of bladder and demonstrates that adjuvant therapies, including anti-angiogenic and immunotherapy, may be considered for patients with locally advanced or metastatic genitourinary PEComa.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 16925812 · DOI · PMC1564030
Epithelial but not stromal expression of collagen alpha-1(III) is a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of colorectal carcinoma [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in males and the second in females worldwide with very poor prognosis.
- Closing excerpt
- COL3A1 was a novel diagnosis and prognosis marker of CRC.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (261 words)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in males and the second in females worldwide with very poor prognosis. Collagen alpha-1(III) (COL3A1) gene, encoding an extracellular matrix protein, is upregulated in human cancers. Here, we revealed that COL3A1 was increased in CRC by analysis of five Oncomine gene expression datasets (n = 496). Immunohistochemistry analysis of a tissue microarray (n = 90) demonstrated that cancer epithelial but not stromal COL3A1 was significantly upregulated comparing with the normal counterparts. High COL3A1 mRNA and/or protein expression was accompanied with high stage, T stage, Dukes stage, grade and older age, as well as smoking and recurrence status. Upregulated COL3A1 predicted poor overall (p = 0.003) and disease-free (p = 0.025) survival. Increased epithelial but not stromal COL3A1 protein predicted worse outcome (p = 0.03). Older patients (age>65) with high COL3A1 had worse survival than younger (age≤65) with high COL3A1. Plasma COL3A1 was increased in CRC patients (n = 86) by 5.4 fold comparing with healthy individuals, enteritis and polyps patients. Plasma COL3A1 had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.92 and the best sensitivity/specificity of 98.8%/69.1%. While plasma CEA had a poorer prediction power (AUC = 0.791, sensitivity/selectivity = 70.2%/73.0%). Older patients (age≥60) had higher plasma COL3A1 than younger patients. The epithelial COL3A1 protein had an AUC of 0.975 and the best sensitivity/specificity of 95.2%/91.1%. Silencing of COL3A1 suppressed CRC cell proliferation in in vitro MTT assay and in in vivo Zebra fish xenograft model by downregulation of PI3K/AKT and WNT signaling. COL3A1 was a novel diagnosis and prognosis marker of CRC.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26741506 · DOI · PMC4891007
"Colon"ised by the unexpected: a case of extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- IntroductionExtrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour is an exceedingly rare and aggressive form of gestational trophoblastic disease that arises outside the uterus and is characterised by the proliferation of intermediate trophoblastic cells.
- Closing excerpt
- This case report highlights the importance of histopathological examination for a confirmatory diagnosis, ensuring timely identification and improving patient outcomes.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (203 words)
IntroductionExtrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour is an exceedingly rare and aggressive form of gestational trophoblastic disease that arises outside the uterus and is characterised by the proliferation of intermediate trophoblastic cells. Unlike more common forms of gestational trophoblastic diseases, such as hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinoma, this entity presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its atypical location and clinical features. Thus far, no documented cases of this entity have been reported in the colon.Case presentationWe report the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with complaints of lower abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the left iliac fossa, initially suspected to be an ectopic pregnancy. On radiological evaluation, a provisional diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumour was made, following which the patient underwent a left colectomy with resection and anastomosis, and the excised specimen on comprehensive histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis was diagnosed as a case of extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour. However, the patient's condition deteriorated, and she succumbed to the disease one month after the diagnosis.ConclusionThe rarity of extrauterine trophoblastic tumours contributes to limited clinical experience and treatment protocols, resulting in poor prognoses. This case report highlights the importance of histopathological examination for a confirmatory diagnosis, ensuring timely identification and improving patient outcomes.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40413529 · DOI · PMC12102896
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms of soft tissue and gynecologic origin: a clinicopathologic study of 26 cases and review of the literature [5]
- Research article PEComas: the past, the present and the future [6]
- Research article PEComa: what do we know so far? [7]
- Research article What are the current best immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma? A review and update [8]
- Research article Immunohistochemical diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma: an update [9]
- Research article Epithelioid angiomyolipoma: a morphologically distinct variant that mimics a variety of intra-abdominal neoplasms [10]
References
- Lei JH, Liu LR, Wei Q, Song TR, Yang L, Yuan HC, et al.. A Four-Year Follow-up Study of Renal Epithelioid Angiomyolipoma: A Multi-Center Experience and Literature Review. . 2015. PMID 25939249 · DOI · PMC4419536
- Parfitt JR, Bella AJ, Wehrli BM, Izawa JI. Primary PEComa of the bladder treated with primary excision and adjuvant interferon-alpha immunotherapy: a case report. . 2006. PMID 16925812 · DOI · PMC1564030
- Wang XQ, Tang ZX, Yu D, Cui SJ, Jiang YH, Zhang Q, et al.. Epithelial but not stromal expression of collagen alpha-1(III) is a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of colorectal carcinoma. . 2016. PMID 26741506 · DOI · PMC4891007
- Radhakrishnan S, Suvarna NN, Sreeram S, Bhat S. "Colon"ised by the unexpected: a case of extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour. . 2025. PMID 40413529 · DOI · PMC12102896
- Folpe AL, Mentzel T, Lehr HA, Fisher C, Balzer BL, Weiss SW. Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms of soft tissue and gynecologic origin: a clinicopathologic study of 26 cases and review of the literature. Am J Surg Pathol. 2005. PMID 16327428 · DOI
- Martignoni G, Pea M, Reghellin D, Zamboni G, Bonetti F. PEComas: the past, the present and the future. Virchows Arch. 2008. PMID 18080139 · DOI · PMC2234444
- Hornick JL, Fletcher CD. PEComa: what do we know so far?. Histopathology. 2006. PMID 16359539 · DOI
- Ordóñez NG. What are the current best immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma? A review and update. Hum Pathol. 2007. PMID 17056092 · DOI
- Ordóñez NG. Immunohistochemical diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma: an update. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2005. PMID 16253021 · DOI
- Mete O, van der Kwast TH. Epithelioid angiomyolipoma: a morphologically distinct variant that mimics a variety of intra-abdominal neoplasms. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2011. PMID 21526965 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.