Cells of malignant growth are commonly characterized as?

Cells of malignant growth are often characterized as anaplastic. Anaplastic cells, which are typically observed in malignant tumors, show a loss of differentiation and display abnormal shapes, sizes, and features that are markedly different from normal cells. This lack of differentiation is a hallmark of cancerous cells, indicating their invasive and aggressive nature.

Anaplastic cells frequently exhibit rapid proliferation and tend to invade surrounding tissues, which is part of what makes them distinct from well-differentiated cells that resemble normal tissues and tend to grow more slowly. While poorly oxygenated cells can indeed be found in tumors because of their rapid growth outpacing their blood supply, this characteristic alone does not define malignant cells in the same way that anaplasia does. Thus, anaplasia serves as a critical indicator of the aggressive and disorganized behavior associated with malignant growth.