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Metaplasia (from Greek 'change in form') is the transformation of a cell type to another cell type. [1] The change from one type of cell to another may be part of a normal maturation process, or caused by some sort of abnormal stimulus.
Microscopically, cells resemble normal cells but are increased in numbers. Sometimes cells may also be increased in size (hypertrophy). [7] Hyperplasia is different from hypertrophy in that the adaptive cell change in hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, whereas hyperplasia involves an increase in the number of cells. [8]
Treatment is usually straightforward. High-grade dysplasia represents a more advanced progression towards malignant transformation. Carcinoma in situ , meaning "cancer in place", represents the transformation of a neoplastic lesion to one in which cells undergo essentially no maturation, thus may be considered cancer-like .
Dysplasia (change in cell or tissue phenotype) Hyperplasia (proliferation of cells) Hypoplasia (congenital below-average number of cells, especially when inadequate) Metaplasia (conversion in cell type) Neoplasia (abnormal proliferation) Prosoplasia (development of new cell function) Abiotrophy (loss in vitality of organ or tissue)
Metaplasia occurs when a cell of a certain type is replaced by another cell type, which may be less differentiated. It is a reversible process thought to be caused by stem cell reprogramming. Stem cells are found in epithelia and embryonic mesenchyme of connective tissue. A prominent example of metaplasia involves the changes associated with ...
Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which there is an abnormal (metaplastic) change in the mucosal cells lining the lower portion of the esophagus, from stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium with interspersed goblet cells that are normally present only in the small intestine and large intestine.
Common sites for squamous metaplasia include the bladder and cervix. Smokers often exhibit squamous metaplasia in the linings of their airways. These changes don't signify a specific disease, but rather usually represent the body's response to stress or irritation.
Intestinal metaplasia is the transformation of epithelium (usually of the stomach or the esophagus) into a type of epithelium resembling that found in the intestine.In the esophagus, this is called Barrett's esophagus.