What is an anaplastic cell?

• A. Benign neoplasm
• B. Malignant neoplasm
• C. Normal cell
• D. Inflammatory cell

Answer: (B)

Anaplastic cells are poorly differentiated cancer cells that have lost the specialized features of their tissue and look highly abnormal. They show pleomorphism—variation in size and shape—along with large, irregular, often hyperchromatic nuclei and a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. Frequent abnormal mitoses and disorganized growth reflect the malignant nature, with potential for invasion and metastasis.

Benign neoplasms, by contrast, resemble the tissue of origin, maintain organized structure, are usually cohesive and noninvasive, and do not exhibit the marked pleomorphism or abnormal mitoses seen in anaplastic cells. Normal cells are uniform and well-differentiated, while inflammatory cells are immune cells, not tumor cells. Therefore, anaplastic cells are best described as malignant neoplasm.