nonmucinous

Nonmucinous is a histopathological descriptor used to classify tissues, lesions, or tumors that do not produce or secrete mucin. Mucin is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein secreted by epithelial cells, especially in mucous membranes, and its presence helps distinguish certain mucinous tumors from those that lack mucin production.

The term is applied across various organs and tumor types to contrast nonmucinous neoplasms with mucinous ones. For example, in ovarian and pancreatic pathology, tumors may be categorized as mucinous or nonmucinous based on whether they contain mucin within cells or in the extracellular mucin pools. In breast and gastrointestinal pathology, mucin production can influence classification and, in some cases, prognosis or treatment decisions. However, nonmucinous does not define a single tumor entity; it is a descriptive attribute that may accompany a range of histologic patterns, such as serous, endometrioid, or other nonmucin-producing varieties.

Assessment of mucin production typically involves histological staining and immunohistochemistry. Special stains for mucins, such as Alcian blue or mucicarmine, can detect mucin presence, and antibodies against mucin core proteins (for example, MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC) can help characterize mucin types. The practical significance of labeling a tumor as nonmucinous lies in integration with architecture, cytology, invasion status, and molecular features to guide diagnosis and management.

In sum, nonmucinous denotes absence of mucin production in a tissue or tumor and serves as a descriptive element within broader histopathological classification.