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Ultrastructure of adenoid cystic carcinoma
Author(s) -
Hoshino Munemitsu,
Yamamoto Ichiro
Publication year - 1970
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(197001)25:1<186::aid-cncr2820250127>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - myoepithelial cell , ultrastructure , adenoid cystic carcinoma , pathology , cell type , carcinoma , cell , anatomy , biology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , genetics
Ultrastructural examinations of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) have revealed that the tumor cells are classified into 2 types, i.e., type A cells (myoepithelial cells) and type B cells (secretory type cells). In ultrastructure, the neoplastic myoepithelial cells are very similar to normal ones of intercalated duct type, and more resistant against irradiation than the secretory type cells. Type B cells, polyhedral in shape, are undifferentiated, and high in nucleocytoplasmic ratio. Some of them show differentiations into glandular, lining epithelia, and secretory activities. Transitions between both cell types are noted. It is suggested that ACC originates from the intercalated duct, and the recurrence results from proliferation of the remaining myoepithelial cells against irradiation. Furthermore, the ultrastructural evidences showing the continuity between the interstitium and the cystic space are documented. This phenomenon may be responsible for formation of the characteristic interstitium of ACC.