Cerebral neuroblastoma.
A cerebral neuroblastoma removed surgically from a female child is presented. Electron microscopy showed numerous neuronal processes with growth cones which are a feature of the developing neurone. In addition there were some rosettes with distinct lumina. The luminal surfaces were covered with a smooth plasma membrane lacking any surface differentiation and the lateral surface of these cells had many cell junctions (terminal bars), reminiscent of a primitive neural tube. These features in a nerve cell tumor help to substantiate it as a neuroblastoma arising from immature rather than differentiated cells. The nature of this rare tumor is discussed.
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure