What are the four key histological features that indicate malignancy?

The identification of malignancy in histological sections is critical for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The correct answer encompasses four key histological features that are widely recognized as indicative of malignant tumors.

Anaplasia refers to the loss of the structural differentiation and functional characteristics of normal cells that often occurs in cancer. This is typically associated with a marked disorganization of the tissue architecture and abnormal cell growth.

Pleomorphism signifies a variation in the size and shape of cells and their nuclei, which is a common finding in malignant tissues. This variation in morphology often reflects the heterogeneity of the tumor cell population, contributing to the aggressiveness and variability in behavior of the malignancy.

Invasion is a hallmark of malignancy, where tumor cells breach normal tissue boundaries and infiltrate adjacent tissues. This ability to invade is crucial for tumor progression and is a key characteristic differentiating benign tumors from malignant ones.

Metastasis, the process of tumor cells spreading to distant sites in the body, signifies the most advanced stage of malignancy. The capacity to metastasize implies aggressive behavior and significantly impacts prognosis.

These features collectively provide strong evidence for malignancy, making option B the correct answer, as they reflect the critical cellular characteristics associated with cancer. The other options do