How Do Cancer Cells Differ Histologically from Normal Cells?
Cancer cells exhibit several distinct histological features compared to normal cells:
Increased Cell Proliferation: Cancer cells show higher rates of cell division, often visible as a higher number of cells in the mitotic phase. Altered Cell Morphology: Cancer cells may have irregular shapes, larger nuclei, and a higher nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. Loss of Differentiation: Cancer cells often lose the specialized features of the tissue they originated from, a phenomenon known as anaplasia. Disorganized Tissue Architecture: Normal tissue architecture is disrupted, leading to irregular cell arrangements.
