Premium
The topographical and age distributions of neuroendocrine cells in the normal human appendix
Author(s) -
Shaw Paul A. V.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711640308
Subject(s) - argentaffin , appendix , histogenesis , carcinoid tumour , pathology , biology , anatomy , medicine , immunohistochemistry , paleontology
In order to clarify the histogenesis of appendiceal carcinoid tumours, epithelial (ENC) and subepithelial (SNC) neuroendocrine cells were counted at four sites in 50 normal appendices stained by standard argyrophil and argentaffin techniques. In general, ENC were present in similar number at all sites within the appendix, whereas SNC were more numerous at the tip than at the base. The number of ENC was similar throughout life, apart from an increase in one neonate and some elderly patients, whereas SNC were maximal in young adults. Thus, the topographical and age distributions of SNC, but not those of ENC, parallels the topographical and age incidence of appendiceal carcinoid tamours, suggesting that most appendiceal carcinoid tumours arise from SNC rather than ENC.