Nuclear margin irregularity and cancer: a review.

Nuclear margin irregularity is an important diagnostic feature of malignant cells. The exact cause of nuclear margin irregularity is not fully understood. The distortion of the nuclear envelope is probably the major factor in nuclear margin irregularity. Multiple proteins on the nuclear envelope, particularly nuclear lamin, are responsible for the distortion of the nuclear envelope. The extracellular matrix may also indirectly affect the nuclear position and shape by the closely connected network of actin-nespirin-SUN-lamin links. The alteration of nuclear matrix protein and RET-oncogene expression may play a role in nuclear envelope distortion and in margin irregularity. In this review, the probable causes and impact of nuclear margin irregularities are discussed.