Dysplasia
Intraventricular haemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are problems of prematurity.
What our notes say
- Intraventricular haemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are problems of prematurity. (Paediatrics Year 4 MBChB end of semester CAT: triage, newborn care, growth and d)
- The natural history of the progression from dysplasia to invasive carcinoma is usually a decade or more, so there is plenty of time to make a diagnosis and treat conservatively. (Female system — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Though condyloma is not premalignant, the risk factor is the same, and she could acquire subtypes of HPV, such as 16 and 18, that do increase the risk for squamous dysplasias and carcinomas of the cervix. (Female system — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- In this case there is no dysplasia that presages evolution to carcinoma. (Gastrointestinal and liver — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- The transition zone between the cervix and vagina is a common site of cervical dysplasia. (Medical MCQs: Chemical Pathology & Haematology Exam Review)
- Erythroplakia (red patch) carries a much higher cancer risk than leukoplakia (white patch) — red lesions are more likely to already show severe dysplasia (Bone & Soft Tissue Tumour Pathology: Must-Know Diagnoses)
Study material on Dysplasia
- Female & Male Genital Pathology: Ulcers, HPV, Endometriosis, Pre-eclampsia
- Gastropathology Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Neoplasms: High-Yield Exam Review
- renal pathology
- Oncopathology MCQs: Test Your Knowledge on Cancer Pathology
- General Pathology MCQs: Fixatives, FNA, Endocrine & ARDS
- GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGY (Part 1)
- Medical MCQs: Chemical Pathology & Haematology Exam Review
- Female system
- Female Reproductive Pathology: HPV, Cancer, PCOS & Pregnancy
- MCQ: GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGY — 60 MCQs (Redistributed Answers)
Practice questions on Dysplasia
A 45-year-old man is noted to have a red velvety lesion on the lateral border of the tongue. Histological examination reveals severe epithelial dysplasia. Which lesion has the highest risk of malignant transformation?
- Oral candidiasis
- Leukoplakia
- Traumatic ulcer
- Erythroplakia
- Lichen planus ✅ Answer: D
Answer: A. Erythroplakia is a red, velvety lesion that frequently harbors severe dysplasia or invasive carcinoma and has the highest malignant transformation potential among oral precancerous lesions.
A 52-year-old male smoker has a white patch on his buccal mucosa that cannot be scraped off. Biopsy shows moderate epithelial dysplasia. What is the most accurate statement about this lesion?
- It must be considered precancerous until proved otherwise by histology
- It is definitively benign because it lacks erythroplakia features
- Malignant transformation occurs in more than 50% of such lesions
- It requires no treatment as most leukoplakias regress spontaneously
Answer: A. All leukoplakias must be considered precancerous regardless of clinical appearance. 5–25% are premalignant. >50% transformation rate applies to erythroplakia, not leukoplakia. ---
A 70-year-old male with long-standing pernicious anaemia is found to have a gastric polyp on endoscopy. Biopsy shows hyperplastic glands with mild dysplasia. What is the most likely outcome?
- The polyp will spontaneously regress with B12 supplementation
- It represents a benign adenoma with no malignant potential
- It is a precursor to gastric adenocarcinoma with increased surveillance required
- It requires immediate surgical resection due to high risk of perforation
Answer: C. Patients with pernicious anaemia have an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. Gastric polyps in this setting, especially those with dysplasia, are considered premalignant and require close monitoring and surveillance. ---
A 60-year-old male with a history of H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease undergoes an upper endoscopy. Biopsy of a gastric ulcer shows intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia. What is the most concerning implication of this finding?
- Increased risk of gastric lymphoma
- Increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma
- Increased risk of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Increased risk of Helicobacter pylori reinfection
Answer: B. Intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia in a gastric ulcer, especially in the context of H. pylori infection, are significant risk factors for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. ---
A 36-year-old woman presents with postcoital bleeding. Cervical biopsy reveals dysplastic squamous cells involving full epithelial thickness without invasion. Which condition is this? Full-thickness dysplasia but no invasion through the basement membrane. ---
- CIN I
- CIN II
- CIN III (carcinoma in situ)
- Invasive carcinoma
- Microinvasive carcinoma
Answer: C.