title: Oncocyte
text: # Oncocyte
  
  An oncocyte is an epithelial cell characterized by an excessive number of mitochondria, resulting in an abundant acidophilic, granular cytoplasm. Oncocytes can be benign or malignant.
  
  ## Other names
  
  Also known as:
  
  * Hürthle cell (thyroid gland only)
  * Oxyphilic cell
  * Askanazy cell
  * Apocrine metaplasia (breast gland only).
  * Oncocytic cell
  
  ## Etymology
  
  Derived from the Greek root onco-, which means mass, bulk.
  
  