Sarcoma

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Sarcoma - Sarcoma of the Uterus (PH 2007) (pp. 116-117)
(Be able to identify this slide.)

Compare the normal and neoplastic cells in this slide of the uterine wall (myometrium). The normal smooth muscle cells are long, strap-like (spindle-shaped) cells with oval nuclei and much pink cytoplasm. The neoplastic cells are rounder, vary in size and have nuclei of various shapes and staining intensities. These cells are anaplastic.

Sarcoma of the uterus (40X2.3)                                                   Sarcoma of the uterus (100X2.0)

Pink smooth muscle and granular cancer cells                        Fibrous pink smooth muscle cells and many small blue
                                                                                                        cancer cells

                                                     Sarcoma of the uterus (400X2.0)

                                                    Fibrous pink smooth muscle cells and many small blue
                                                    cancer cells

* What is meant by the term anaplastic?

Note that the neoplastic cells are invading into the normal tissue. There is no sharp border between normal and neoplastic cells. Invasion into surrounding normal tissue is one of the hallmark characteristics of a malignant neoplasm (cancer).

* Name 5 other characteristics of malignancy.

* Why is this neoplasm called a sarcoma?

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This material may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in any data base or retrieval system without prior written permission is obtained from Augustine G. DiGiovanna, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801.