24 Questions
What is the main difference between well-differentiated and poorly differentiated tumours?
Well-differentiated tumours resemble the normal mother cells
Which type of tumours generally show no or little resemblance to the cells they originated from?
Poorly differentiated tumours
What is the characteristic feature of malignant neoplasms?
Variation in size and shape of cells and nuclei
What is the characteristic feature of malignant neoplasms?
Pleomorphism
What is hyperchromasia in malignant tumours?
Extremely dark staining nuclei containing an abundance of DNA
What is the term used to describe morphological cellular abnormalities that stand between normal and carcinoma in situ?
Dysplasia
What is the significance of mitotic cells in tumours?
They are present in normal tissues and benign tumours in small numbers
What is the feature of malignant tumours that is characterized by extremely dark staining nuclei containing an abundance of DNA?
Hyperchromasia
What is the feature of malignancy that leads to the formation of tumour giant cells, some cells having a single huge polymorphic nucleus and others having two or more nuclei?
Anaplasia
What is anaplasia in tumours?
Tumour cells growing in a disorganized fashion
What is dysplasia in tumours?
Morphological cellular abnormalities that stand between normal and carcinoma in situ
What is the term used to describe the early form of cancer where cells accumulate within the epidermis only?
Carcinoma in situ
What is the feature of malignancy that is characterized by tumour cells growing in a disorganized fashion?
Loss of polarity
What is high grade dysplasia?
An early form of cancer where cells accumulate within the epidermis only
What is the relationship between invasive carcinomas and CIS?
Invasive carcinomas are the result of progression of CIS
What is the characteristic feature of benign neoplasms?
Well-differentiation
What are metastases in tumours?
Tumour implants that are discontinuous with the primary tumour
What is the feature of malignancy that is characterized by large numbers of mitoses, which is a sign of higher proliferative activity of the cells?
Mitotic cells
What are the three pathways of metastasis?
Lymphatic spread, hematogenous spread, and seeding of body cavities and surfaces
What is the term used to describe tumour implants that are discontinuous with the primary tumour?
Metastasis
What are the three pathways through which metastasis may occur?
Lymphatic spread, hematogenous spread, and seeding of body cavities and surfaces
What is the difference between benign and malignant neoplasms?
Benign neoplasms are very well differentiated, whereas malignant neoplasms are generally poorly differentiated
What is the feature of malignancy that is characterized by variation in size and shape of cells and nuclei?
Pleomorphism
What is pleomorphism in malignant neoplasms?
Variation in size and shape of cells and nuclei
Study Notes
Pathological features of benign and malignant tumours and their classifications
- Well-differentiated tumours resemble the normal mother cells, whereas poorly differentiated tumours show no or little resemblance to the cells they originated from.
- Benign neoplasms are very well differentiated, whereas malignant neoplasms are generally poorly differentiated.
- Pleomorphism or variation in morphology is characteristic of malignant neoplasms, with variation in size and shape of cells and nuclei.
- Hyperchromasia or dark nuclei is another feature of malignant tumours, with extremely dark staining nuclei containing an abundance of DNA.
- Mitotic cells are present in normal tissues and benign tumours in small numbers, but malignant tumours contain large numbers of mitoses, which is a sign of higher proliferative activity of the cells.
- Loss of polarity is another feature of malignancy, with tumour cells growing in a disorganized fashion.
- Anaplasia leads to the formation of tumour giant cells, some cells having a single huge polymorphic nucleus and others having two or more nuclei.
- Dysplasia is a term used by pathologists to describe morphological cellular abnormalities that stand between normal and carcinoma in situ.
- High grade dysplasia commonly equates with Carcinoma in situ (CIS), an early form of cancer where cells accumulate within the epidermis only.
- Most invasive carcinomas are considered to be the result of progression of CIS.
- Metastases are tumour implants that are discontinuous with the primary tumour, and their chance increases with the aggressiveness and size of the tumour.
- Metastasis may occur through one of three pathways: lymphatic spread, hematogenous spread, and seeding of body cavities and surfaces.
Test your knowledge of the pathological features of benign and malignant tumours and their classifications with this quiz. From well-differentiated tumours to metastases, this quiz covers the key characteristics and terminology used by pathologists to describe and classify tumours. Whether you're a medical student or just interested in learning more about tumour biology, this quiz is a great way to challenge your understanding and expand your knowledge.
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