Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy with highly differentiated neural component. Light and electron microscopic study.
A pigmented tumor was removed from the maxillar alveolar process of a 5-month-old boy. It was examined by light and electron microscopy and a diagnosis of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor was made. In addition to connective tissue, three main cell types were identified: undifferentiated (stem) cells, melanocytes, and nerve cells with processes forming an abundant neuropil. Numerous axo-dendritic and occasional axo-somatic synapses were observed. The neural component demonstrated better differentiation in this example than in any reported so far.
D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003712:Dendrites / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012160:Retina; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure