Criteria of malignancy - Check list

DOG, 7 y, male, histiocytic sarcoma

mod. Romanowsky, 100x oil

 

CELLS (General criteria)

Anisocytosis = difference in cell size
Polymorphism = difference in cell morphology

Decreased cell-to-cell adhesion (epithelial cells)

Changes in the degree of cellular differentiation

 

NUCLEUS

Shape

Polymorphism?

Irregular?

Size

Macrokaryosis?

Anisokaryosis?

Number

Multinucleation?

Odd numbers of nucelii?

Intracellular anisokaryosis?

Micronuclei?

Nuclear ‘molding’?
Chromatin
Fine, open or coarse?
NUCLEOLI

Prominent?

Size:

> 2/3 size of a RBC?

Variable size within same nucleus?

Shape irregular?

Number - >5?

 

MITOTIC FIGURES

Number (in 5 high power fields or 10 low power 40 x magnification fields)

Abnormal ?

 

NUCLEAR TO CYTOPLASMIC RATIO

Increased?

Variable?

 

CYTOPLASM

Amount?

Colour  - Hyperbasophilic?

Inclusions or vacuoles?

Emperipolesis / cannibalism

 

  • Criteria of malignancy within the NUCELOLI are more important than those of the NUCLEI, which in turn are more important than those of the CYTOPLASM.