Difference Between Dysplasia and Metaplasia (With Table)

A human body contains an abundance of cells and tissues. The cell is the basic building unit in a human body and it is a self-reliant unit. Tissues are the second layer after the skin layer and, skin protects tissues because these are very sensitive and can easily be damaged by sun rays.

Dysplasia and Metaplasia are associated with the cells that are present in the human body. These cells need very much good care because their rapid growth can lead to organ cancer and less quantity can lead to diseases like anemia, red cell membrane disorder, red cell membrane disorder, etc.

Dysplasia vs Metaplasia

The main difference between Dysplasia and Metaplasia is that Dysplasia is the growth of cells that are abnormal and may lead to diseases like cancer and tissue diseases, etc. Whereas Metaplasia is a condition in which a body cell divides or gets converted into something new type.

Dysplasia is not mainly a cancerous condition but can become a tumor if not properly medicated. This condition is associated with uncommon cell development. The cells are gone through a microscopic checkup, where their size and shapes are observed or analyzed, then after this, the report is made.

Metaplasia is a condition related to somatic cells. In this, a somatic cell is divided into another somatic cell which means a cell is differentiated into another new cell. And the new cell generated is way more different than the previous one. This differentiation of the cell takes place in the same tissue.

Comparison Table Between Dysplasia and Metaplasia

Parameters of Comparison

Dysplasia

Metaplasia

Definition

Dysplasia is a disorder related to cellular development that can also be called an abnormal growth of cells.

Metaplasia is a conversion of one type of mesenchymal cell to another type of adult o mature cell.

Types and Tissues affected

This is mostly caused in epithelial cells only and tissues affected by this are the uterine cervix and bronchial mucosa.

This is mainly caused in epithelial and mesenchymal cells and commonly affects bronchial mucosa, uterine endocervix, etc.

Changes in a cellular pattern

Dysplasia is a condition associated with cellular development therefore it changes the shape and size of the cell.

Metaplasia leads a cell to its maturity state. Which means one division of the cell gets matured.

Medication

Dysplasia can be treated with cryosurgery, laser therapy, and electrosurgical process, etc.

Metaplasia can be treated with chemotherapy and electrosurgical process etc.

Nature of process

This process is irreversible and cannot be changed if not treated properly or in time.

This process is reversible and can lead a cell to its normal state.

Cancer-causing

Dysplasia comes under one of the symptoms of cancer and may lead to cancer.

Metaplasia does not form cancer cells but if not treated on time this may lead to the generation of cancer cells.

What is Dysplasia?

Dysplasia is a disorder that contributes to unusual cell growth, which is not good for health and can lead to many types of diseases that are chronic or long-term in nature. Cells are the bodybuilding structure of a human body which are microscopic and, all the creatures living on the earth are made up of cells.

This disorder causes cysts in the cells, which develop with time and increase the size of the cell, which leads to hormonal imbalances in the body that causes improper functioning of the body organs. Dysplasia mainly affects the epithelial tissues and is divided into the microscopic scale and macroscopic scale.

Dysplasia in its very early stage can be treated and does not lead to cancer, but when it reaches its maturity, it may cause cancer in specific organs, therefore proper surgery or electrical treatment is required.

What is Metaplasia?

Metaplasia changes the state of the body cell, which means that the cells get divided into a new mature cell. And, this mature cell is an unknown cell that can be harmful to other body organs and other cells of the body. This disorder is not harmful to normal people having no history of diseases.

Metaplasia can be a harmful disorder for those people who had gone through cancer treatments previously. This disorder is mainly caused due to changes in the surroundings or environment of the cells. And these changes in the environment of the cells cause them to adapt to a new habitat and lead to the formation of the new cell.

There are many examples of these changes and, some of them are smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and drinking alcohol that causes irritations in the cell and forces them to adapt to a new environment.

Main Differences Between Dysplasia and Metaplasia

  1. Dysplasia is a illness related to cellular development that can also be called an abnormal growth of cells. On the other hand, Metaplasia is a conversion of one type of epithelial cell to another type of mature epithelial cell.
  2. Metaplasia leads a cell to its maturity state. Which means one division of the cell gets matured. Whereas, Dysplasia is a condition associated with cellular development therefore it changes the dimensions of the cell.
  3. Metaplasia can be treated with mild chemotherapy and electrosurgical process etc. While, Dysplasia can be treated with cryosurgery, laser therapy, and electrosurgical process, etc.
  4. Metaplasia does not form cancer cells, but if not treated on time this may lead to the generation of cancer cells. Whereas, Dysplasia comes under one of the symptoms of cancer and may lead to cancer.
  5. The process of Dysplasia is irreversible and cannot be changed if not treated properly or in time. While the process of Metaplasia is reversible and can lead a cell to its normal state.

Conclusion

Diseases occur due to poor health care routines and also when we get into contact with someone who is already affected by the disease, which is transferrable through several mediums like air, water, and food. And some diseases like cancer, asthma, diabetes are chronic or, long-term diseases that cannot be treated fully and stay for a lifetime. Cancer is a disease that happens due to the changes in the size and growth of the cell present in the body, these changes are referred to as Dysplasia and Metaplasia in medical terms where Dysplasia is a state in which the body cells grow abnormally and, Metaplasia is a state in which body cells get divided into new unknown cells.

References

  1. https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/ajrccm.163.7.2011060
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673600034115