|
Benign Cells |
Cancer Cells |
Cell size and shape |
Within physiological limits reflecting normal cell division and maturation of the epithelium |
Variation in size and shape reflecting abnormal cell division and maturation. |
Nuclear size |
Within normal limits reflecting normal cell division and maturation |
Significant variation in nuclear size
(anisonucleosis) reflecting abnormal cell division and maturation. . |
Nuclear shape |
Generally round, oval or bean shaped |
Abnormal shape |
Structure of chromatin in interphase nucleus
|
Finely granular chromatin evenly distributed throughout nucleus |
Coarse granular chromatin unevenly distribution throughout nucleus
|
Chromatin content of
interphase nucleus
|
Normal amount of chromatin for diploid cells evenly distributed in all cells. |
Chromatin often increased but the amount and distribution of chromatin varies from one nucleus to another due to abnormal cell division. |
Hyperchromasia |
Rarely seen, if present reflects regenerative change |
Common reflecting increased chromatin content or rapid cell turnover or both |
Multinucleation |
Not normally found. If present nuclei are of even size |
Not uncommon. Nuclei vary is size and shape |
Nucleoli |
Small , even size , few in number |
Large,irregular variable in size and shape and in number |
Cohesiveness |
Well formed cell junctions |
Loss of cohesiveness |
Mitoses |
Occasionally seen in basal layer of epithelium |
Abnormal mitoses frequently found
throughout epithelium |