Color can be helpful in describing a specimen, especially if the normal color of the tissue or organ has been altered. Some tumors, tissues, or pathologic processes have very characteristic colors as seen in Table 8.
Table 8. Pathologic Processes and Associated Colors.| Pathologic Process | Color |
| Renal cell carcinoma (clear cell type) | Golden yellow and red |
| Normal adrenal or adrenal cortical lesions | Orange-yellow |
Xanthogranulomatous inflammation
(xanthos = yellow in Greek) | Yellow |
Cirrhosis
kirrhos = orange-yellow in Greek) | Yellow |
| Steroid-producing tumors | Often pale or bright yellow |
Chloroma or any purulent exudate
(chloros = green in Greek) | Green |
| Prior hemorrhage with oxidation of blood | Green (e.g., in synovial tissue in hemochromatosis) |
Ochronosis
(ochros = pale yellow in Greek) | Black or brown |
| Endometriotic (chocolate) cyst | Brown |
Melanoma (if pigmented)
(melas = black in Greek) | Black |
| Melanosis coli | Black mucosa |
Anthracotic pigment
(anthrax = coal in Greek) | Black |
| Blue dome cysts of the breast | Dark blue or black |
| Gout or chondrocalcinosis | Chalky white |
Pheochromocytoma
(phaios = dusky + chromo = color in Greek) | White to tan; chromaffin reaction changes color to mahogany brown to black or purple |
1. Lester, S. (2022). Manual of Surgical Pathology. (4th ed.). Elsevier.
