Question

Woman on pap smear having disorganised growth of cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, which phenomenon is occurring here

• A. Dysplasia
• B. Metaplasia
• C. Hypertrophy
• D. Carcinoma

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

In the context of pap smear results, the observation of disorganized growth of cells with hyperchromatic nuclei is indicative of a pathological process. These characteristics are typically associated with carcinoma, a type of cancer.

• Hyperchromatic nuclei: Cells with darker than normal nuclei due to an increased amount of DNA. In malignancies such as carcinoma, cells often have enlarged, irregular, and hyperchromatic nuclei.
• Disorganized growth: Unlike healthy tissue, cancerous tissue lacks the normal orderly structure, displaying chaotic cell arrangements.

There are other pathological phenomena with distinct characteristics:

• Dysplasia: This refers to abnormal cell growth but is generally considered a precancerous state rather than full malignancy.
• Metaplasia: A reversible change where one type of adult cell is replaced by another type. It is often a response to chronic irritation and usually isn't malignant.
• Hypertrophy: An increase in the size of cells, leading to a larger tissue or organ size, and is usually a normal physiological response, not malignancy.

Therefore, the presence of disorganized growth of cells with hyperchromatic nuclei most aligns with the characteristics of a carcinoma.