Severe dysplasia of cervix. Light micrograph of a cervical smear, showing clusters of abnormal cells (stained orange). These squamous cells with a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio are enlarged, each with an active nucleus enabling rapid cell division. Classed as cells with severe dyskaryosis (abnormality), they have undergone potentially cancerous changes (dysplasia). Cancer of the cervix is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. A cervical smear test is a method of detecting malignancy. If diagnosed at an early stage, cervical cancer can be cured. Stained with Papanicolaou. Magnification: x40 at 35mm size.