Cellular pathology Flashcards
What can alterations in the environment cause cells to do?
Change in size
Change in differentiation
Change in rate of cell division
What is hyperplasia?
Increase in cell number as a consequence of cell division
What is hypertrophy?
Increase in size of existing cells
Give an example of physiological hyperplasia
Breast hyperplasia at puberty
Give an example of pathological hyperplasia
Breast cancer
What is endometrial hyperplasia?
Thickening of the lining of the womb
What is hyperplasia with hypertrophy?
Increased proliferation and increased cell mass
What is Atrophy?
Decrease in size and number of cells
What is cell atypia?
Too much proliferation
What is Dysplasia?
Increase cell proliferation with incomplete maturation of cells
What is Metaplasia?
Cells adapt to a change in their environment by altering their differentiated appearance
What are some cytological features of malignancy?
Cell pleomorphism
Nuclear pleomorphism
More mitotic figures
Abnormal mitotic figures
What is neoplasia?
Uncontrolled, progressive cell division
What is metastasis?
Distant spread of the neoplastic cells
Which features of a tumour suggests its likely to be a benign neoplasm?
Circumscription
Lack of nuclear pleomorphism
Few mitotic features
