Definition
• Dysplasia: a disorganization of cells (size, shape, or organization); benign > premalignancy
• Metaplasia: early dysplasia, reversible and benign but abnormal cell changes
• Anaplasia (loss of cellular differentiation): most advanced form of metaplasia and characteristic malignant cells
• Hyperplasia = an increase in no. of cells in tissue, resulting in increased tissue (physiologic hyperplasia; increased breast mass during pregnancy, wound healing, or bone callus formation)
• Neoplastic hyperplasia, increase in cell mass because of
tumor formation and is an abnormal process e.g. hyperplastic breast tissue increases breast cancer risk