Mukinöse

Mukinöse is a term used in medical contexts to refer to tissues, lesions, or tumors that contain or produce mucin, a glycoprotein component of mucus. The term is encountered in reference to mucin-producing tumors (mucinous neoplasms) as well as to non-neoplastic conditions involving mucin accumulation in tissues.

In mucinous neoplasms, neoplastic cells secrete mucin into extracellular pools or luminal spaces. These tumors can occur in several organs, notably the colon, ovary, pancreas, and breast, and are defined by histological criteria that quantify the proportion of mucin. The presence of mucin can influence imaging appearance, tumor behavior, and prognosis, and mucinous tumors may be associated with distinct genetic alterations.

Non-neoplastic mucinoses refer to conditions in which mucin accumulates in tissues without a primary malignant process. Cutaneous mucinoses involve dermal or subcutaneous mucin deposition and can be localized or generalized; systemic mucinoses can accompany autoimmune or endocrine diseases and may reflect dysregulated fibroblast activity.

Diagnosis relies on histopathology and special stains, such as Alcian blue or periodic acid–Schiff after diastase digestion, to demonstrate acidic mucopolysaccharides, i.e., mucin. Immunohistochemistry and molecular studies can aid in identifying tumor type and underlying pathogenesis.

Treatment is condition-specific: surgical resection or oncologic therapy for mucinous neoplasms, and management of underlying disease or supportive care for mucinous or mucinosis conditions.