Desmoplasia

Desmoplasia is the formation if fibrous connective tissue. It is also known as the desmoplastic response and desmoplastic stromal response.

It is a stromal change that in the context of dysplasia supports the diagnosis of invasive carcinoma.

Microscopic

Feature:

• Increased stromal cellularity - key feature.
  • Large (plump) spindle cells with relatively pale nuclei.
• Edema - pale spaces between the cells - may be apparent at low power.

DDx:

• Sclerosing adenosis.

Image:

• Desmoplasia in cervical SCC (ucsf.edu).

See also

• Pseudoinvasion.
• Cancer.
• Basics.