Dysplastic Cells Characteristics and Prognosis

Dysplastic Cells Characteristics

• Dysplastic cells show loss of normal uniformity and arrangement, indicating abnormal growth.
• Minor atypia manifests as pleomorphism, featuring variation in cell size and shape.
• Nuclei in dysplastic cells are hyperchromatic, appearing enlarged and dark.
• Increased mitotic activity signifies higher cell division rates in dysplastic tissues.

Degree of Dysplasia

• Dysplasia severity is assessed by cell atypia and the extent of epithelial involvement.
• Mild dysplasia affects the lower third of epithelial tissue.
• Moderate dysplasia involves the lower two-thirds.
• Severe dysplasia equates to carcinoma in situ, with full epithelial thickness affected.

Examples of Dysplasia

• Cervical dysplasia occurs in females with chronic cervicitis.
• Urothelial dysplasia is observed in patients suffering from bilharzial cystitis.
• Hepatocellular dysplasia is associated with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Prognosis of Dysplasia

• Mild and moderate dysplasia is often reversible if the underlying cause is eliminated, but can progress to severe dysplasia.
• Severe dysplasia is highly precancerous and often leads to invasive cancer over time.

Neoplasia Overview

• Neoplasia refers to uncontrolled, autonomous abnormal cell proliferation lacking any functional role.
• Neoplasms are categorized as tumors and develop from unknown causes, divided into intrinsic (internal body factors) and extrinsic (environmental factors).

Neoplasm Definition

• A neoplasm is a new growth that forms an abnormal mass, characterized by autonomous and self-controlling proliferation.

Differences Between Hyperplasia and Neoplasia

• Hyperplasia results from a stimulus, whereas neoplasia may occur without an identifiable trigger.
• Hyperplasia is reversible once the stimulus ceases; neoplasia involves unlimited proliferation and is irreversible.
• Cells in hyperplasia maintain normal shape; neoplastic cells appear abnormal, often indicating malignancy.
• While hyperplasia can serve a compensatory function, neoplasia is generally harmful and can stem from pathological hyperplasia, potentially leading to malignancy.