Anaplastic is a term for tumour cells that have lost their normal structure and function. They look very different from the normal cells from which they originated.
Key features of anaplastic cells include:
- Loss of differentiation: Normal cells are specialized and have specific functions. Anaplastic cells lose this specialization and no longer perform their usual functions.
- Abnormal appearance: Anaplastic cells often have irregular shapes, sizes, and structures. They are often much larger than normal cells. They may also have large, irregular nuclei (the control center of the cell) and an abnormal amount of DNA.
- Increased cell division: Anaplastic cells tend to divide more rapidly and uncontrollably than normal cells.
What types of tumours frequently show anaplastic cells?
Anaplasia is most commonly seen in high grade, aggressive tumours. Some types of tumours that frequently show anaplastic cells include:
- Glioblastoma: A highly aggressive type of brain tumour.
- Anaplastic astrocytoma: A type of brain tumor that is more aggressive than low-grade astrocytomas.
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: A highly aggressive type of thyroid gland cancer.
- Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the immune system.
Why are anaplastic cells important?
Anaplastic cells are important for several reasons:
- Indicates aggressiveness: The presence of anaplastic cells often indicates that a tumour is aggressive and may grow and spread quickly.
- Guides treatment: Knowing that a tumor has anaplastic cells can help doctors decide on the best treatment plan. Aggressive tumours may require more intensive treatments, such as higher doses of chemotherapy or radiation.
- Affects prognosis: Anaplastic cells can impact a patient’s prognosis, which is the likely outcome or course of the disease. Tumours with a high degree of anaplasia are often associated with a poorer prognosis because they tend to grow and spread more quickly.
Do anaplastic cells mean cancer?
Anaplastic cells are almost exclusively seen in malignant (cancerous) tumors. It is exceedingly rare to find anaplastic cells in a benign (non-cancerous) tumor. The presence of anaplastic cells typically indicates that the tumor is malignant, meaning it has the potential to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
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