[Morphologic and applied aspects of mitotic pathology]

The author presents a classification and descriptions of various forms of pathology of mitosis. Changes in the mitotic regimen following administration of some drugs and under the effect of extreme factors are considered. Data on changes in the number and character of pathological mitoses in viral infection and radiation damage are discussed. Particular attention is given to the analysis of shifts in the mitotic regimen in various benign and malignant hyperplasia. It is shown that malignization (precancer and cancer of the larynx, endometrium, cervix uteri and stomach) is characterized by a rise of the mitotic activity, detection of division in metaphase and by a drastic increase in the number of pathological mitoses. These indices are used in the differential diagnosis of neoplastic processes and for early detection of possible malignization pf precancer hyperplasia.