“Neoplasia refers to the abnormal growth and proliferation of cells, resulting in the formation of a neoplasm, commonly known as a tumor”. Neoplasms can be benign or malignant, and they can occur in various tissues and organs throughout the body. Examples: Benign Neoplasms: Fibroids (leiomyomas) in the uterus, moles (nevi) on the skin, and lipomas (fatty tumors). Malignant Neoplasms: Breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, and melanoma. Causes: The causes of neoplasia can be multifactorial and involve both genetic and environmental factors. Some common causes include: Genetic Mutations: Alterations in the DNA sequence of genes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division. These mutations can be inherited or acquired during a person's lifetime. Carcinogens: Exposure to certain environmental factors such as chemicals, radiation, tobacco smoke, and some viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus) can increase the risk of neoplasia. Hormonal Imbalances: Some hormones, like estrogen in breast and ovarian cancer, can contribute to the development of neoplasms. Immune Dysfunction: Impairment in the immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells can result in the growth of neoplastic cells. “Abnormal growth or development of cells or tissues, characterized by the alteration in their size, shape, and organization”. It is often considered as a precancerous condition, as dysplastic cells have a higher tendency to mutate and transform into cancerous cells over time. Dysplasia can occur in various tissues and organs of the body, including the skin, respiratory tract, digestive tract, urinary tract, and others.

1. Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 1
Neoplasia and Dysplasia
Dr. Umar Hamid
Lecturer, Program In charge (AHS) Ex-Consultant BSL-III Lab
Department of Allied Health Sciences District Headquarter Hospital
Superior University, Sargodha Sargodha

2. Neoplasia and Dysplasia
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 2

3. Neoplasia
“Neoplasia refers to the abnormal growth and proliferation of cells, resulting in the formation of a
neoplasm, commonly known as a tumor”.
• Neoplasms can be benign or malignant, and they can occur in various tissues and organs throughout
the body.
Examples:
• Benign Neoplasms: Fibroids (leiomyomas) in the uterus, moles (nevi) on the skin, and lipomas (fatty
tumors).
• Malignant Neoplasms: Breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, and melanoma.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 3

4. Causes:
The causes of neoplasia can be multifactorial and involve both genetic and environmental factors. Some
common causes include:
• Genetic Mutations: Alterations in the DNA sequence of genes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth
and division. These mutations can be inherited or acquired during a person's lifetime.
• Carcinogens: Exposure to certain environmental factors such as chemicals, radiation, tobacco smoke,
and some viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus) can increase the risk of neoplasia.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Some hormones, like estrogen in breast and ovarian cancer, can contribute to
the development of neoplasms.
• Immune Dysfunction: Impairment in the immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate
abnormal cells can result in the growth of neoplastic cells.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 4

5. Types:
Neoplasms can be classified into two broad categories based on their behavior:
• Benign Neoplasms:
- These tumors are localized and non-invasive, meaning they do not spread to other parts of the body.
- They typically grow slowly and have well-defined borders.
- Benign neoplasms do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize to distant sites.
• Malignant Neoplasms (Cancers):
- Malignant tumors are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the ability to invade surrounding
tissues and metastasize to distant organs.
- They can infiltrate nearby blood vessels and lymphatics, allowing them to spread to other parts of the
body.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 5

6. Mechanism:
The mechanism of neoplasia involves a series of events at the cellular level. Normal cells acquire
mutations that disrupt the regulation of cell growth, resulting in uncontrolled proliferation. The key
steps in neoplastic development include:
• Initiation: Exposure to carcinogens or genetic mutations leads to the initiation of neoplastic
transformation in a single cell.
• Promotion: Promoters, often ongoing exposure to carcinogens or hormonal influences, stimulate the
growth and division of the initiated cell, resulting in the expansion of the neoplastic population.
• Progression: Accumulation of additional genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities leads to
further changes in the neoplastic cells, enhancing their ability to invade surrounding tissues and
metastasize to distant sites.
• Metastasis: Malignant neoplasms acquire the ability to invade blood vessels or lymphatics, allowing
them to spread to other organs and establish secondary tumors.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 6

7. Dysplasia
“Abnormal growth or development of cells or tissues, characterized by the alteration in their size,
shape, and organization”.
• It is often considered as a precancerous condition, as dysplastic cells have a higher tendency to
mutate and transform into cancerous cells over time.
• Dysplasia can occur in various tissues and organs of the body, including the skin, respiratory tract,
digestive tract, urinary tract, and others.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 7

8. Types of Dysplasia:
There are several types of dysplasia, based on the affected tissue or organ. Some common types
include:
• Cervical dysplasia: Abnormal growth of cells in the cervix, which may lead to cervical cancer if left
untreated.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 8

9. • Sadas
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 9

10. • Oral dysplasia: Abnormal growth of cells in the oral cavity, which may progress to oral cancer if not
managed properly.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 10

11. • Colonic dysplasia: Abnormal growth of cells in the colon, which may develop into colon cancer over
time.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 11

12. • Barrett's esophagus: A condition characterized by the replacement of the normal esophageal lining
with abnormal cells, which may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 12

13. Causes of Dysplasia:
The exact cause of dysplasia is not clear, but several factors are known to increase the risk of its
development. Some of these include:
• Genetic mutations or alterations:
- Dysplasia may occur due to genetic mutations or changes in the DNA sequence, which can lead to
abnormal cell growth and division.
• Chronic inflammation:
- Chronic inflammation caused by infections, irritants, or other factors can trigger dysplasia in the
affected tissues.
• Environmental factors:
- Exposure to certain environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, and toxins can also contribute
to the development of dysplasia.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 13

14. Examples and Mechanism of Dysplasia:
Dysplasia can affect various tissues and organs of the body, leading to different types of conditions.
Let's take a look at some examples of dysplasia and their mechanism:
• Cervical Dysplasia:
- This type of dysplasia is often caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which triggers
abnormal cell growth in the cervix. The mechanism involves the transformation of normal cervical
cells into abnormal precancerous cells, which may progress to cervical cancer if not treated on time.
• Oral Dysplasia:
- Chronic exposure to tobacco and alcohol is a common cause of oral dysplasia. The mechanism
involves the accumulation of DNA damage in the oral tissues, leading to the development of
abnormal cells that can grow uncontrollably and form precancerous lesions.
• Colonic Dysplasia:
- This type of dysplasia is often seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as
ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The mechanism involves chronic inflammation of the colonic
mucosa, which triggers the development of abnormal cells that can progress to colon cancer over
time.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 14

15. Difference between neoplasia and dysplasia
.
Neoplasia and Cancer: Dr. Umar Hamid 15
Features Neoplasia Dysplasia
Definition Abnormal growth or proliferation of cells, forming a new
and independent tissue mass
Abnormal growth and development of cells within normal
tissue architecture
Cellular
Characteristics
Cells exhibit uncontrolled proliferation and lack normal
growth regulation
Cells show disordered growth, altered size, shape, and
organization
Potential for
Malignancy
May be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) Generally considered a pre-cancerous condition, but not
always indicative of malignancy
Tissue Architecture Often forms a distinct mass or tumor Typically retains the overall tissue architecture, but with
architectural abnormalities
Invasion Can invade and destroy surrounding tissues Does not invade surrounding tissues
Cellular
Differentiation
Varies in degree of differentiation, ranging from well-
differentiated to undifferentiated
Shows a spectrum of cellular changes, ranging from mild
to severe
Clinical Significance Can lead to the development of cancer Serves as an important marker for increased risk of
developing cancer
Diagnostic
Evaluation
Requires histopathological examination, imaging studies,
and molecular testing
Diagnosed through histopathological evaluation of tissue
samples
Treatment Treatment options include surgical removal, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and
immunotherapy
Treatment may involve close monitoring, addressing
underlying causes, or surgical intervention if necessary
Examples Carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia Cervical dysplasia, oral dysplasia, esophageal dysplasia