Large cell

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Large cell is a term used in cancer medicine. It does not name a single cell type; it describes cells that are larger than would be expected for that cell type. It is often used when talking about lymphoma and lung cancer. In the past, large cell was used more because doctors could mostly judge cancer by cell size, and it helped with classification systems like the Working Formulation for lymphoma. Today, the term still appears in many disease names, even when cell size is not the main diagnostic factor. The related phrase giant cell is also common, especially with carcinoma. Examples of giant cell conditions include giant-cell tumor of bone, giant-cell tumor of the tendon sheath, and giant cell fibroblastoma.