Dysplasia

Dysplasia refers to abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs, resulting in disordered maturation and organization. It is a histopathological term used to describe changes in tissue structure that are not yet cancer, but may indicate a precancerous process in some contexts. Dysplastic changes can affect epithelium or other tissues and are often graded by severity.

In pathology, dysplasia is characterized by architectural distortion of the tissue and cytological abnormalities such as variation in cell size and shape, increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, and abnormal mitotic activity. Grading typically ranges from mild to severe, with higher grades indicating a greater risk of progression to invasive neoplasia in certain organs, especially the cervix. It is important to distinguish dysplasia from hyperplasia (increased cell numbers without architecture disruption) and from neoplasia (new, uncontrolled growth).

Common examples include cervical dysplasia, which can arise from persistent human papillomavirus infection and may be detected by screening methods such as Pap testing and HPV testing; and skeletal or retinal dysplasias, which are developmental disorders affecting bone formation or eye tissue, respectively. The underlying causes vary and can include genetic factors, inflammation, infections, and environmental exposures.

Diagnosis relies on tissue sampling and histological examination, supplemented by imaging or genetic tests as appropriate. Management depends on the tissue involved, severity, and risk factors, ranging from careful surveillance to surgical removal of affected tissue in some cervical cases, or multidisciplinary care for non-cervical dysplasias. Prognosis is variable and depends on the tissue type and whether progression to invasive disease occurs.