title: Epithelioid sarcoma: an electron-microscopic, immunohistochemical and DNA flow cytometric analysis.
abstract: Eight epithelioid sarcomas (ES) were studied by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and DNA flow cytometry. Ultrastructurally, the tumour cells showed desmosome-like intercellular junctions and numerous microvilli, in addition to whorled arrangements of intermediate filaments. Tumour cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin, and vimentin, and negative for carcinoembryonic antigen and desmin. All seven cases examined by flow cytometry showed diploid or hyperploid (near diploid) DNA content. This seems to correspond to the relatively long clinical course and low-grade malignant nature of ES. Although the histogenesis of ES is still uncertain, the results of this study suggest that it is a tumour of primitive mesenchymal cells with the capacity to show epithelial differentiation.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1; D011003:Ploidies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018396:Mucin-1; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins