Angiomyxoid tumour in the renal peripelvic tissues with features of aggressive angiomyxoma.

A case of angiomyxoid tumour in the renal peripelvic soft tissue of a 45 year old woman is reported. The encapsulated tumour, measuring 12 x 9 x 6 cm, was solid and firm. The cut surface revealed a yellowish-white, gelatinous, and glistening tumour. Histologically, the tumour was composed of loosely textured spindle and stellate cells with prominent blood vessels of variable calibre. The tumour cells stained strongly for vimentin. These findings strongly resemble those associated with aggressive angiomyxoma in the vulva and perineum.     

So-called minute chemodectoma of the lung

Summary So-called minute pulmonary chemodectoma is a curious, small lung tumour found mainly in women. The nature and origin of the proliferating cells are still obscure. In the first report on the tumour, the component cells were described as resembling chemoreceptor cells and the tumour was named chemodectoma. However, electron microscopic studies of the tumour have revealed no evidence of neuronal characteristics and have shown a close resemblance to meningothelial cells. In this study, the electron microscopic findings were similar to those previously reported but in one of the two cases, tumour cells were filled with abundant cytofilaments, giving them an occasional dense, patch-like appearance. Immunostaining for myosin and vimentin was positive in all tumour cells, but epithelial membrane antigen staining was not seen. These findings indicate that the tumour might have its origin from muscle cells.     

Malignant Sertoli cell tumour of the testis. An immunohistochemical study and a review of the literature

The fifteenth case of malignant Sertoli cell tumour is reported and the literature is reviewed. The reported case was unilateral with lung metastases. Immunohistochemical examination showed positive staining reaction within the tumour cells for vimentin and cytokeratin, while AFP, HCG, PLAP, EMA and CEA were not found, which is in accordance with the staining pattern found in normal Sertoli cells.     

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver—a case report with immunocytochemical observations

A case of a primary sarcomatous tumour in the liver of an elderly female is reported. The tumour consisted of bundles of spindle cells focally in a storiform pattern, intermingled with bizarre giant cells. Immunocytochemically, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, keratin, desmin and type IV collagen could not be demonstrated. Most tumour cells, however, expressed vimentin, whereas a granular cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was shown in the giant cells. Ultrastructurally the tumour cells did not show any characteristics of epithelial derivation. The morphological and immunocytochemical data justify the conclusion that the tumour should be classified as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.     

Polymorphonuclear cells stimulate the migration and metastatic potential of rat sarcoma cells

The tumour microenvironment, which is largely composed of inflammatory cells, is a crucial participant in the neoplastic process through the promotion of cell proliferation, survival and migration. Neutrophil polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) induce inflammatory reactions that can be either cytotoxic for tumour cells or can promote tumour growth and metastasis. Previously, we have reported a spontaneous metastasis tumour model that has tumour PMNs infiltration, and metastasis, to liver and spleen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PMNs influences on the tumour cell invasion and metastatic properties. We analysed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), MT1-MMP (membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase) and MMP2 protein expression in TuE-t cells cultured with PMNs or PMNs-conditioned medium isolated from tumour bearing and normal rats. The interaction between tumour cells and PMNs induced a decrease in ICAM-1 expression in tumour cells as well as an increase in MMP2 and tumour cell motility. Besides, conserved expression of uPAR and MT1-MMP in tumour cells was also demonstrated. The up-regulation in MMP2 associated with uPAR and MT1-MMP conserved expression may be related to an increased extracellular matrix proteolysis. These results showed that the interaction of tumour cells with PMNs could favour tumour cell spreading through the promotion of a tumour invasive phenotype.     

Alpha-fetoprotein production by a hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the uterus.

A case of a 62 year old Japanese woman with an endometrial adenocarcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is described. Microscopically, the tumour was composed of a major medullary portion and a minor tubular adenocarcinoma which had invaded the myometrium, the myometrial lymphatics and blood vessels. Neoplastic cells in the medullary portion were polygonal with glycogen-rich cytoplasm. Vascular permeation by neoplastic cells was prominent. Extensive hepatoma-like features were observed. The tumour cells lacked features suggestive of a diagnosis of embryonal carcinoma or endodermal sinus tumour. The production of AFP by the tumour cells was demonstrated immunohistochemically using the PAP technique. Only two cases of AFP producing endometrial adenocarcinomas have been reported previously.     

Ultrastructural analysis of salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma, with particular reference to myoepithelial cells

Previous ultrastructural studies of pleomorphic adenoma have presented conflicting results with regard to the role of myoepithelial cells in the histogenesis of this tumour. In the present study specimens of ten major salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas were examined ultrastructurally and a number of cell types identified. The material was subjected to quantification using the stereological method of point counting. The results showed a wide spectrum of differentiation within these tumours in which typical myoepithelial cells were rarely encountered even in situations where they are reported to occur in routine histological preparations. Cells with some myoepithelial features were more numerous but duct cells accounted for the majority of tumour cells. The ultrastructural findings correlated well with previously reported immunocytochemical data and further support certain ideas about salivary gland tumour histogenesis.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung

Summary A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung is reported. The tumour margin was well circumscribed, showing an expanding border and no capsule. The main part of the tumour was composed of spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells arranged in broad fascicles with a partially storiform pattern. Other parts of the tumour were arranged in a haphazard pattern, containing many mononucleated and multinucleated giant cells. Ultrastructurally six differnt cell types were encountered. The dominant type was a fibroblast-like cell; also present were many giant cells and some histiocyte-like cells, together with their intermediate forms, and few undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. We consider this tumour to have developed from the peribronchial connective tissue; it has the same cellular composition as the malignant counterpart arising in soft tissues.     

Giant pigmented tumour of the scalp—a diffuse neurofibroma or a congenital naevus showing neurofibromatous changes? Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies

A case of giant pigmented tumour of the scalp which developed in a 47-year-old woman is reported. Macroscopically, the tumour showed a peculiar two-layered structure, consisting of an upper non-pigmented and a lower pigmented portion. Histologically, it was composed of elongated neurofibromatous tumour cells with abundant collagen fibres in the non-pigmented portion and round naevus-like cells with abundant melanin pigment in the pigmented portion. S-100 protein and neurone-specific enolase were demonstrated in most of the tumour cells, but neurofilament and myelin basic protein were not detected. Electron microscopy revealed melanosomes in the tumour cells of the pigmented portion. These findings might support a melanocytic origin for the tumour, but the lack of superficial pigmentation and the associated hair loss were against this. The tumour may represent an example of duality of neural crest differentiation.     

Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses (malignant melanoma of soft parts) in the duodenum: the first visceral case

An ulcerated tumour was removed by a Whipple's operation from the descending part of the duodenum of a 38-year-old male. The tumour cells were mainly spindle-shaped, arranged in nests and had very prominent nucleoli. A few cells contained melanin and melanosomes. Immunoreactivity for S-100 protein and focally for HMB-45 was observed. These features are diagnostic for clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses. Because no other primary tumour could be found and the search for similar cases from the literature was unsuccessful, we believe that this tumour is the first reported clear cell sarcoma in a visceral location.     

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma characterized by microtubular aggregates in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and tubulin immunoreactivity

A case is reported of a 66-year-old female with an extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma which had originated in the lateral region of the right knee. The tumour tissue of the primary, recurrent, and metastatic deposits in the lungs was examined by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Almost all the sarcoma cells in every tumour specimen harboured immunoreactivity to both alpha- and beta-subunits of S-100 protein. A large population of cells in the subcutaneous tumour at autopsy had numerous parallel arrays of microtubules within the rough endoplasmic reticulum in addition to the well-described ultrastructural features indicative of chondroblastic origin. These structures were present in round to polygonal, but not in fibroblastic, tumour cells. Tubulin immunoreactivity in the tumour cells showed the same tendency, being frequently positive in the large cells of the subcutaneous tumour but weakly positive in the fibroblastic and medium-sized cells of the recurrent and metastatic tumours. The parallel arrays of intracisternal microtubules therefore may be composed of tubulin protein, as in ordinary cytoplasmic microtubules.     

Primary amyloid tumour of the breast: a case report

A case of primary amyloid tumour of the breast is reported with a brief review of the literature. The tumour was mammographically suspicious of carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology yielded clumps of amorphous material surrounded by giant cells and lymphocytes. Subsequent histology showed nodular amyloid associated with osseous metaplasia and giant cell reaction. There are 13 cases of amyloid tumour of the breast reported in the literature and in four of these fine needle aspiration had been undertaken.     

Spontaneous ovarian tumour in a medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Swelling of the abdomen was found in an adult female medaka (Oryzias latipes). Multiple tumour masses occupying most of the abdominal cavity were found at necropsy. Histologically, the tumour consisted of homogeneous round cells arranged in islands and occasional trabecular structures with thin capsules. Ova at various stages of maturation were seen in the periphery of the tumour mass. Metastasis was observed in the vicinity of the thyroid gland with accompanying infiltration by lymphocytic cells and also abdominal muscles. The tumour cells were characterized by a large ovoid nucleus with no aggregation of heterochromatin, occasional mitotic figures and prominent nucleoli. Examination by electron microscopy showed cells with scant cytoplasm but many ribosomes and a few other organelles. Annulate lamellae and dense cytoplasmic masses were also frequently observed. Based on the above features, the tumour was diagnosed as an ovarian dysgerminoma, the first reported case in a medaka.     

Primitive small round cell tumour of the adrenal gland presenting with fever of unknown origin and t(12;22)(q13;q12) cytogenetic finding

This report describes a left adrenal tumour in a 16 year old Chinese girl who presented with fever of unknown origin. The histological and ultrastructural features of the adrenal tumour were those of a primitive small round cell tumour with neuroendocrine differentiation. Cytogenetic analysis of cultured tumour cells showed a reciprocal translocation t(12;22)(q13;q12). This is the first example of such a tumour being reported in the adrenal gland. The adrenal tumour was also the cause of the fever, which subsided after the removal of the tumour.     

Malignant phaeochromocytoma with widespread metastasis in the rat

Malignant phaeochromocytomas occurring in the adrenals of 2 aged male rats are reported. The primary tumour was unilateral and had metastasized to the other adrenal, pancreas, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and bone marrow. Metastatic deposits were also seen in a co-existing pituitary tumour and in an islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas. The cells, although resembling normal medullary cells, were smaller and had sparse cytoplasm; the nuclei were generally hyperchromatic. The cells were arranged in nests and sometimes in a trabecular pattern. The presence of phaeochromocytomas with widespread metastasis is of interest since, in general, phaeochromocytomas of rats are not prone to metastasize. In addition, invasion into a pancreatic islet cell tumour and into a pituitary tumour was unusual.     

Inflammatory fibrous histiocytoma of the penis

A 62-year-old man presented with a penile mass which was diagnosed histologically as an inflammatory fibrous histiocytoma. The predominant inflammatory cells in the tumour were eosinophils. The tumour regressed after radiotherapy but recurred eight months later, when it showed very few inflammatory cells. At no time did this patient have an elevated white cell count. This tumour has not previously been reported on the penis, nor have eosinophils been described as the principal inflammatory cell in these tumours.     

Stromal metachromasia: a marker for areas of infiltrating tumour growth?

The presence of stromal metachromasia is reported in 23 of 38 cases of invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix, its absence from 34 of 35 'in-situ' lesions. The metachromasia was seen at the zone of host/tumour interaction. Its presence was associated with changes in the morphology of the stromal cells and adjacent mast cells. The implications of these observations to the interpretation of tumour histology are discussed.     

Adenocarcinoma of the retinal pigment epithelium in the guppy Poecilia reticulata Peters.

A single case of adenocarcinoma of the retinal pigment epithelium occurred in a guppy, Poecilia reticulata, Peters. This is the first such tumour reported from fishes. The left eye of the affected fish was severely exophthalmic because of a large intraocular tumour mass. The tumour, which displaced normal retina anteriorly, consisted mainly of melanin-containing epithelial cells. Neoplastic cells were bilayered and arranged in a tubular pattern. The tumour was confined to the orbit. Although the specimen was from a group exposed to a mixture of halogenated organic compounds, the lesion was not considered to have been chemically induced because of its rare occurrence within the group as a whole.     

Malignant endothelioma of the aorta

Summary An untreated case of a malignant endothelial tumour of the thoracic aorta of a 67 year-old male is reported. A tumour, 7 × 6 × 1.5 cm in size occupied the lumen of the descending thoracic aorta and two daughter lesions, 0.5 cm in diameter, were located in the abdominal aorta and the left common iliac artery. Histologically, they were composed of a surface cellular lining and a underlying necrotic mass; the former was six to ten layers of bizarre epithelioid cells thick and the latter contained much nuclear debris. Innumerable tumour emboli of epithelioid tumour cells and producing ischaemic lesions were found in various organs and tissues. Ultrastructurally, tumour cells were arranged in acinar pattern with narrow lumena and immature basement membrane. There were ultrastructural appearances interpreted as Weibel-Palade bodies and immunohistochemically factor VIII related antigen and vimentin was seen in the tumour cells.     

Aggressive oncocytic neuroendocrine tumour (''oncocytic paraganglioma'') of the cauda equina

An oncocytic neuroendocrine tumour ('oncocytic paraganglioma') of the cauda equina is reported. The tumour was predominantly intradural, with extension into and destruction of surrounding vertebral bone. The tumour had an organoid pattern, and the tumour cells had abundant non-argyrophilic eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunocytochemical stains for neurone-specific enolase, S-100 protein, keratin and carcinoembryonic antigen were positive, but stains for glial fibrillary acidic protein were negative. On ultrastructural examination, there were numerous mitochondria and scattered 200 nm dense-core membrane-bound granules, that rarely clustered in small aggregates. Intermediate filaments were focally arranged in long compact bundles. The histogenesis of tumours reported as cauda equina paragangliomas is discussed.