Nuclear atypia

Micrograph showing extreme nuclear atypia in cancer (glioblastoma). Brain biopsy. HPS stain.

Nuclear atypia refers to abnormal appearance of cell nuclei. It is a term used in cytopathology and histopathology. Atypical nuclei are often pleomorphic.

Nuclear atypia can be seen in reactive changes, pre-neoplastic changes and malignancy. Severe nuclear atypia is, in most cases, considered an indicator of malignancy.

See also