Severe dysplasia of cervix. Light micrograph of a cervical smear, showing severe dysplasia. All these squamous epithelial cells (stained pink) have enlarged nuclei displaying granular chromatin. Cell division is also seen (at far right & upper centre). These abnormalities are known as severe dyskaryosis which are potentially cancerous changes. These cells can be used to diagnose severe dysplasia (CIN-3) of the cervix. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. A cervical smear test is a method of detecting malignancy. If diagnosed at an early stage, cervical cancer can be cured. Papanicolaou stain. Magnification: x400 at 35mm size.