Coexistence of Intracytoplasmic Lumens and Membrane-bound Vesicles in an Invasive Carcinoma Arising in a Cystosarcoma Phyllodes

An unusual invasive breast carcinoma, arising in a cystosarcoma phyllodes and characterized by a variable cytoplasmic appearance and mucin content, was evaluated to determine the nature of the secretory material within the cells as well as the type of secretory organelle at the ultrastructural level. Histochemical studies revealed both acidic (sialic acid) and neutral mucin within the tumor cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed secretory material within membrane-bound vesicles in some cells and within intracytoplasmic lumens in others; some cells contained both membrane-bound vesicles and intracytoplasmic lumens simultaneously. The Golgi derivation of the intracytoplasmic lumens was supported by their presence within or near hyperplastic Golgi complexes. The histochemical characteristics of the secretory material is correlated with their ultrastructural site of accumulation.