Cytology signs of malignancy

What are the criteria for malignancy?
Criteria for malignancy include the following: variation in cell size and shape, increased cell exfoliation, increased nuclear size, increased nucleus:cytoplasm ratio, variation in nuclear size and an increase in multinucleated cells, increased mitosis with abnormal mitotic figures, a coarse and often clumped chromatin .
What are the cytoplasmic criteria for malignancy?
Criteria for malignancy include the following: variation in cell size and shape, increased cell exfoliation, increased nuclear size, increased nucleus:cytoplasm ratio, variation in nuclear size and an increase in multinucleated cells, increased mitosis with abnormal mitotic figures, a coarse and often clumped chromatin .

Introduction

Establishing a diagnosis of cancer begins with a thorough history and physical examination

Is Tissue Always Necessary?

There are very few circumstances where the diagnosis of malignancy is made in the absence of pathological confirmation

Obtaining Tissue

An important principle is to obtain diagnostic material via the least invasive approach

Histopathology/Cytopathology

Historically, histopathology and cytopathology have been the main tools utilised in the diagnosis of cancer

Molecular Genetics/Cytogenetics

Molecular and cytogenetic studies have demonstrated that the development and progression of human malignancies involves multiple genetic changes

Tumour Markers/Biomarkers

Tumour markers are substances released by cancer cells into the blood

Does cytologic change indicate malignancy?

Most commonly, this interpretation is critically influenced by clinical and relevant information

There is no single cytologic feature which, by itself, unequivocally indicates malignancy; nor is there a cytologic change which, when absent, bespeaks benignancy

How do you know if a pathology report is cancer?

Get help understanding the medical language you might see in a pathology report

Signs and symptoms a person is having or the results of imaging or other tests might suggest cancer, but usually a biopsy (or sometimes cytology test) is needed to know for sure

What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?

Signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected

Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles

In malignant tumours, cells undergo an uncontrolled and haphazard growth that can lead to disorganized architectures. Cytologically, this can be observed as nuclear moulding (nucleus of one cell to deform around the nucleus of another cell) and cell crowding (overlapping of nuclei).