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Ultrastructural histochemistry of mesotheliomas and adenocarcinomas in malignant effusions
Author(s) -
Barsotti Paola,
Muda Andrea Onetti,
Ascoli Valeria,
Casareale Paola,
Nardi Francesco
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840050209
Subject(s) - pathology , ultrastructure , mesothelioma , basement membrane , staining , immunohistochemistry , phosphotungstic acid , carcinoma , medicine , biology , biochemistry , catalysis
The results of electron microscopic examination of cytologic specimens from six cases of mesothelioma and 10 cases of metastatic carcinoma of different origins are presented. The formation of cell clusters in malignant effusions from the two neoplasms has been thoroughly investigated: in mesotheliomas, ctdls had longer, more slender microvilli than in carcinomas and more abundant bundles of intermediate filaments; the central cavity often seen in the clusters frequently contained collagen and showed basement membrane production. The application of periodic acid‐silver methenamine (PASM) and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) demonstrated a peculiar ultrastructural difference in cell coat staining in the two tumor types: in mesotheliomas, PTA and PASM were consistently negative along the outer surface of the cell aggregates, while carcinomas displayed a positive reaction either on the outer surface or on both inner and outer surfaces of the clusters. The diagnostic significance of the above‐mentioned difference between the two neoplasms will require further investigation in a larger number of cases.