Page 211 - Textbook of Pathology, 6th Edition

195 Neoplasia

CHAPTER 8

Figure 8.2 Salient gross and microscopic features of prototypes of benign (left) and malignant (right) tumours.

phase. While dead tumour cells appear as ‘apoptotic figures’ of differentiation. Poorly differentiated tumours show
(Chapter 3), the dividing cells of tumours are seen as normal aggressive growth pattern as compared to better differen-
and abnormal ‘mitotic figures’ (discussed later). Ultimately, tiated tumours. Some tumours, after a period of slow growth,
malignant tumours grow in size because the cell production may suddenly show spurt in their growth due to develop-
exceeds the cell loss. ment of an aggressive clone of malignant cells. On the other
hand, some tumours may cease to grow after sometime.
2. Degree of differentiation. Secondly, the rate of growth Rarely, a malignant tumour may disappear spontaneously
of malignant tumour is directly proportionate to the degree from the primary site, possibly due to necrosis caused by