Question:medium
Woman on pap smear having disorganised growth of cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Which phenomenon is occurring here?
Woman on pap smear having disorganised growth of cells with hyperchromatic nuclei. Which phenomenon is occurring here?
Show Hint
Think about which cellular change is characterized by disorganised growth combined with hyperchromatic nuclei as seen in malignancy.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Dysplasia
- Metaplasia
- Hypertrophy
- Carcinoma
Show Solution
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Pap smear findings: disorganised cell growth + hyperchromatic nuclei. This combination points toward a malignant process.
Distinguishing cellular adaptations and abnormalities:
- Metaplasia: One mature cell type replaces another; architecture is preserved, cells appear organised
- Hypertrophy: Cells increase in size; no structural disorder
- Dysplasia: Atypical cells with loss of uniformity; can be mild/moderate/severe; precancerous
- Carcinoma (Anaplasia): Full malignant transformation with $pleomorphism$, $hyperchromasia$, loss of polarity, abnormal mitoses
Anaplastic features that define carcinoma:
1. Pleomorphic nuclei (variable size and shape)
2. Hyperchromatic nuclei (dark-staining due to excess DNA)
3. Loss of polarity - cells grow in disorganised pattern
4. Increased and abnormal mitoses
5. Tumour giant cells
On pap smear, disorganised growth + hyperchromatic nuclei = anaplasia = carcinoma.
\[\boxed{\text{Carcinoma}}\]
Distinguishing cellular adaptations and abnormalities:
- Metaplasia: One mature cell type replaces another; architecture is preserved, cells appear organised
- Hypertrophy: Cells increase in size; no structural disorder
- Dysplasia: Atypical cells with loss of uniformity; can be mild/moderate/severe; precancerous
- Carcinoma (Anaplasia): Full malignant transformation with $pleomorphism$, $hyperchromasia$, loss of polarity, abnormal mitoses
Anaplastic features that define carcinoma:
1. Pleomorphic nuclei (variable size and shape)
2. Hyperchromatic nuclei (dark-staining due to excess DNA)
3. Loss of polarity - cells grow in disorganised pattern
4. Increased and abnormal mitoses
5. Tumour giant cells
On pap smear, disorganised growth + hyperchromatic nuclei = anaplasia = carcinoma.
\[\boxed{\text{Carcinoma}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0
