What is anaplasia?

Anaplasia: Lack of differentiation is called anaplasia. Anaplasia is the hallmark of malignant transformation.

Anaplasia is marked by a number of morphological changes:

1. Pleomorphism: Variation in size and shape.
2. Abnormal nuclear morphology: The nuclei contain abundance of DNA and are extremely dark staining.
3. Mitoses: Malignant tumors usually poses mitoses
4. Loss of polarity: In addition to the cytological abnormalities, the orientation of anaplastic cells is markedly disturbed.
5. Other changes: Formation of giant cells.