Question

Of the following microscopic findings, which is most likely to indicate that the neoplasm is not malignant?
A Pleomorphism
B Atypia
C Invasion.
D Increased nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio
E Necrosis

Answer 1

Answer is b) atypia.

Atypia mean abnormal cell type from normal which can be cancerous, or due to inflammation, infection and irritation, it is not necessarily cancerous.

Whereas malignant neoplasms are composed of atypical cells with very high proliferation rate, their nuclear cytoplasmic ratio is also increased, they are highly invasive, and metastatize different body tissues.

They have abnormal cell and nucleus size which is known as pleomorphism. Malignant neoplasms contains cell which are highly undifferentiated. Necrosis in tumor increases chances of malignancy or invasion.

They spread by different routes - hematogenous, lymphatic and seeding into body cavities.

The most indicative microscopic finding that neoplasm is malignant will be invasion.