Cerebellar Neoplasms ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Medulloblastoma ; ultrastructure

Cell reactions to metastatic tumors in the regional lymph nodes were studied by light and electron microscope in 20 cases; i.e. reactive hyperplasia (3), tuberculosis (3), metastatic carcinomas from the breast (4), from the stomach (2), from the lung (2), metastatic epidermoid carcinoma (2), metastatic malanoma (2), and reticulum cell sarcoma (2). The lymph node response was usually germinal center predominence type and the pyroninophilic cell response was a similar pattern of nonspecific germinal centers with prominent reactive hyperplasia. In two cases of undifferentiated tumors, one from the breast and another from the lung, large numbers of pyroninophilic cells were found within the tumor tissue. However, the majority of lymphoid cells surrounding tumor cell or tumor masses were pyronin negative lymphocytes. Electron microscopic observations revealed that the cells surrounding tumor cells were mostly medium sized lymphocytes, occasionally blast cells and mature plasma cells. The contact border between the tumor cells and the surrounding cells was mostly tight and smooth, but occasionally loose with irregular processes, and widely separated in the case with plasma cells. Degenerative changes of adjacent cytoplasm of either the tumor cells or the lymphocytes were not frequent, but in some instances focal degeneration of adjacent cytoplasm, particularly on the side of the lymphocytes, was noted.
Human ; Lymph Nodes/ultrastructure* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphocytes/ultrastructure ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms/ultrastructure* ; Plasma Cells/ultrastructure

The aim of this study is to identify some immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Twenty seven cases were immunohistochemically examined for the presence of cytokeratin AE1/AE3, Her-2/neu, CD20 and CD45. Ultrastructural study was carried out on 10 cases. Results: Immunohistochemical stains for AE1/AE3 were positive in 92.29% of cases and very helpful in the identification of tumor cell differentiation. The majority of infiltrating lymphocytes was T-cells. Her 2/neu oncogene expression was high. Ultrastructurally, the cells showed a scantly cytoplasm, decrease of cytoplasmic organelles, decrease of intercellular adhesion and apparition of microvillosities in adenocarcinoma. The presence of HPV virus-like particles was found in two cases. The crystals were revealed in the eosinophilic leukocyte granules.
Carcinoma ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo observe the surface ultrastructure of different tumor cells in vivo using atomic force microscope (AFM) and analyze their common characteristics.

METHODSWe selected 60 specimens of each of normal liver cells, liver cancer, cervical squamous cells, cervical cancer cells, ductal epithelial cells and breast cancer cells for scanning using AFM. The cell surface scan images were analyzed using image analysis software to identify their common morphological features.

RESULTSFrom normal cervical squamous epithelial cells, intermediate cells, and basal cells to HPV-infected cells, CIN2-3 cells and cervical cancer cells, the membrane surface roughness became gradually increased (P<0.05). Similarly, the surface roughness increased significantly in the order of normal liver cells, hepatitis B cirrhosis liver cells, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (P<0.05). The average surface roughness also tended to increase from normal mammary gland cells to mammary gland hyperplasia cells and breast cancer cells (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONNormal cells and tumor cells show different cell membrane morphologies, and such morphological features provide a reliable basis for clinical pathological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of malignancies.

Breast Neoplasms ; ultrastructure ; Epithelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Liver Neoplasms ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVEIt is well known that glioma stem cells-progenitors (GSCP) proliferate indefinitely and hardly differentiate in vitro, however, the reasons remain unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the ultrastructural basis of GSCP.

METHODSGSCP, kept by our laboratory, were collected, embedded, and cut into ultrathin sections and observed under the transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSA single GSCP usually had relatively well developed mitochondria, Golgi apparatuses, ribosomes, and undeveloped rough endoplasmic reticulum, but seldom lysosomes and no typical autophagosomes were found, and the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio was high. The nuclei frequently contained huge amounts of euchromatin and a small quantity of heterochromatin, and in most nuclei there were only one nucleolus, however, two or more nucleoli were also common. Typical apoptotic cells could hardly be found in tumor-spheres, and between neighboring cells in tumor-spheres there were incompletely developed desmosomes or intermediate junction.

CONCLUSIONThe ultrastructural features of glioma stem cells-progenitors showed that BTSCP were very primitive and the lack of autophagy and the underdevelopment of some other cellular organelles are probably the reasons for the differential inhibition of GSCPs.

Brain Neoplasms ; ultrastructure ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Membrane ; ultrastructure ; Cell Nucleus ; ultrastructure ; Chromatin ; ultrastructure ; Cytoplasm ; ultrastructure ; Glioma ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Mitochondria ; ultrastructure ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of cell gap junction ultrastructure of gastric epithelial cells in patients with gastric cancer(GC) and precancerous lesion(PL),and to investigate the relation between these changes and H.pylori infection. METHODS: Seventy patients with GC, 88 with PL, and 33 with chronic superfial gastritis (CSG) were studied. H.pylori was detected by rapid urease test,basic fuchsin stain and 14C-urea breath test. The CagA gene of H.pylori was determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The cell gap junction ultrastructure was observed under transmission electronic microscope. RESULTS: Length of junction/unit perimeter of gastric epithelial cells in patients with PL was smaller than that in CSG patients, and the smallest width of the intercellular space was bigger than that in CSG patients. The number of cell junction, the number of junction/unit perimeter, and the length of junction/unit perimeter in patients with GC were all smaller than those in patients with CSG or PL, and its smallest width of the intercellular space was bigger than that in patients with CSG. In patients with GC, the number of cell junction, the number of junction/unit perimeter and the length of junction/unit perimeter in CagA+ H.pylori group were smaller than those in CagA(-) H.pylori group, and its smallest width of the intercellular space was bigger than that in CagA(-) H.pylori group. In PL patients, the intercellular space decreased, and the length of cell junction of gastric epithelial cells became bigger after H.pylori eradication. The length of junction/unit perimeter in patients of H.pylori eradication was bigger than that in patients without eradication, and the smallest width of the intercellular space was smaller than that in patients without eradication. CONCLUSION The changes of cell gap junction of gastric epithelial cells in patients with GC and PL are associated with H.pylori infection especially CagA+ H.pylori infection. Eradication of H.pylori can promote the formation of cell junction.
Adenocarcinoma ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Epithelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; ultrastructure ; Helicobacter Infections ; pathology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Precancerous Conditions ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Stomach Neoplasms ; microbiology ; ultrastructure

Sclerosing hemangiomas of the lung are benign neoplasms of uncertain histogenesis. We analysed two cases of sclerosing hemangiomas of the lung with histochemistry and electron microscopy. They had a variegated histologic appearance characterized by an admixture of solid, hemorrhagic, papillary and sclerotic lesions. Characteristic uniform round cells, unique to this tumor, were found within the stroma in all lesions. In the electron microscopic examination, we found Weibel-Palade bodies like small bodies in the tumor cells. We suspect hypothesis originating in the endothelial cell can not be completely excluded yet. Sclerosing hemangioma is a distinct clinicopathologic entity and should be distinguished from other benign neoplasms or inflammatory lesions of the lung.
Endothelium/ultrastructure ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/pathology/*ultrastructure ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology/*ultrastructure ; Male ; Middle Aged

Clear-cell chondrosarcoma, a recently specified entity, is a low-grade malignant tumor and has characteristic clinical, roentgenographic and pathologic findings which separate it from conventional chondrosarcoma and other benign tumors. Therefore, correct diagnosis is important from the viewpoint of both prognosis and therapeutic approach. We report a case of typical recurrent clear-cell chordirosarcoma. Typical round cells with clear cytoplasm, large nuclei, and small nucleoli were wellnoted. The clear cytoplasm was faintly positive in PAS staining. Electronmicroscopic study showed that these cells were of chondroid origin, showing indented nuclei, large dilated endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, bundles of actin-like filaments and a few glycogen particles.
Chondrosarcoma/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Female ; Femoral Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*pathology/ultrastructure

Pancreatoblastoma has been described in children and characterized by unique histologic features and excellent clinical course. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies of pancreatoblastoma reveal either exocrine alone or both endocrine and exocrine differentiation. We present two cases of pancreatoblastoma in children in which immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination failed to demonstrate features of either enzyme or hormone production and which became worse in clinical course. We assume that pancreatoblastomas are tumors which differentiate more toward acinar or ductal elements than toward islet cell.
Carcinoma/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure

A case of congenital rhabdomyoma of the heart in a 5-month-old Korean infant is described. The patient presented with a congenital supraventricular tachyarrhymia that was detected in utero by fetal sonography. The tumor was multiple, but no obvious association with tuberous sclerosis complex was demonstrated. Microscopic examination revealed classic "spider cells" with rich glycogen content. Ultrastructurally, the cells contained numerous leptofibrils, clumped Z band material, and desmosome-like cell junctions. The case is a second documented case of cardiac rhabdomyoma in this country, and its presentation as an etiological factor of supraventricular tachycardia is a very unusual manifestation.
Female ; Heart Neoplasms/complications/*congenital/ultrastructure ; Humans ; Infant ; Rhabdomyosarcoma/complications/*congenital/ultrastructure ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular/*congenital/etiology