[An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of 20 chordomas].
Altogether 20 chordomas were reported. The site distribution included 9 cases at the sacrococcygeal region, another 9 cases at the spheno-occipital region, 1 at the cervical vertebra, and another 1 at the lumbar vertebra. Histologic examination revealed that characteristic "physaliphorous cells" were easily identified in all the 19 cases. Tissue for immunohistochemistry study was available in 18 cases. Among them, tumor cells were found strongly positive to EMA, but negative for CEA. 16/18 cases also showed positive for keratin and S-100 protein. Totally, 2 cases were studied ultrastructurally and there were abundant RER and microfilaments seen in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells but only few surface microvilli detected. The epithelial nature of chordoma is strongly supported by the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings of these 20 cases.
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Department of Pathology, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences.
D000328:Adult; D002817:Chordoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012447:Sacrum; D012658:Sella Turcica; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009418:S100 Proteins; D007633:Keratins