The ultrastructure of oesophageal carcinomas: multidirectional differentiation. A transmission electron microscopic study of 43 cases.
Forty-three oesophageal carcinomas, comprising 15 squamous cell carcinomas, 22 adenocarcinomas, 5 small cell carcinomas, and 1 adenosquamous carcinoma, were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural features of each tumour type are detailed. Multi-directional differentiation (heterogeneity) was observed in 11 cases: 5 squamous cell carcinomas with focal glandular features; 4 adenocarcinomas with focal squamous features; and 2 small cell carcinomas, one with glandular and the other with squamous features. Abnormal distributions of desmosomes in squamous cell carcinomas and of polarity of tumour cells in adenocarcinomas are described.
Newman
J
J
Department of Histopathology, East Birmingham Hospital, U.K.
Antonakopoulos
G N
GN
Darnton
S J
SJ
Matthews
H R
HR
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged