Cancer nucleus: morphology and beyond

Diagn Cytopathol. 2010 May;38(5):382-90. doi: 10.1002/dc.21234.

Abstract

There are many significant morphological alterations of a nucleus of cancer cell that are detectable by light microscopy on routine staining. These changes are often associated with deranged cellular functions of cancer cell. It is difficult to understand the exact relationship between nuclear morphology and alteration of nuclear structural organization in cancer. Herein, the salient visual and subvisual morphological changes of cancer nuclei and their possible etiology and significance have been reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleolus / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology*
  • Cell Nucleus Shape*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nuclear Matrix / pathology

Substances

  • Chromatin