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Cystosarcoma phylloides. An ultrastructural study
Author(s) -
Toker Cyril
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196806)21:6<1171::aid-cncr2820210619>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - anaplasia , pathology , stromal cell , malignancy , ultrastructure , epithelium , stroma , endoplasmic reticulum , biology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
Ultrastructural study of a histologically malignant cystosarcoma phylloides has revealed abnormalities of the stromal but not of the ductular component. The latter did not differ morphologically from non‐neoplastic mammary epithelium. Comparison of the sarcomatous stromal cells with normal mammary fibroblasts revealed similarities of architecture. The neoplastic cells, however, manifested a disarray not observed within die normal fibroblasts. Membranous systems and mitochondria were present in abundance. The tendency towards depletion of mitochondria and granular endoplasmic reticulum, which has been encountered within certain anaplastic epithelial tumors, was not observed. This finding may have reflected dedifferentiation of only moderate degree and a concomitantly moderate grade of malignancy. Investigation of a spectrum of fibrosarcomatous tumors displaying varying degrees of biologic activity and histologic anaplasia is necessary in order to establish the gradient of ultra‐structural change associated with increasing degrees of malignancy within this category.