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Merkel cells and merkel cell tumors ultrastructure, immunocytochemistry and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Warner Thomas F. C. S.,
Uno Hideo,
Hafez G. Reza,
Burgess John,
Bolles Craig,
Lloyd Ricardo V.,
Oka Masamichi
Publication year - 1983
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(19830715)52:2<238::aid-cncr2820520209>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - merkel cell , pathology , ultrastructure , dermis , nucleolus , cytoplasm , merkel cell carcinoma , immunocytochemistry , electron microscope , biology , anatomy , mitosis , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , carcinoma , physics , optics
Certain monomorphic cellular tumors that occur in the dermis have been called trabecular carcinomas or Merkel cell tumors. Forty‐six cases have been reported to date and the literature on these is reviewed here, with six additional cases reported. Cytologic features include sparse cytoplasm, dispersed chromatin with inconspicuous nucleoli in round nuclei and many mitoses. Trabeeulae and pseudorosettes may be identified. Electron microscopy is required for definitive diagnosis. Like normal Merkel cells, tumor cells contain electron‐dense granules (80–200 nm), 10 mm filaments and desmosomes. Filament‐rich cytoplasmic spikes were found in four tumors. These resemble corresponding protrusions of normal Merkel cells and have not been described in other APUDomas. Cancer 52:238‐245, 1983.