title: Primitive neuroepithelial tumors with vermiform processes (filiform neuroepithelial tumors). Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study of 2 cases.
abstract: Two unique, poorly-differentiated neuroepithelial tumors are described, one in a 35-year-old woman with an anterior mediastinal tumor and one in a 71-year-old woman with a left femoral mass. Immunocytochemical stains demonstrated Neuron specific enolase in both tumors and Chromogranin in one. Electron microscopy showed the cells of both neoplasms to contain abundant, thick, vermiform, organelle-free processes, previously described solely in large cell lymphomas. Rare dense-core granules were present, and very few processes were suggestive of neurites. These observations enlarge the spectrum of poorly differentiated neuroepithelial tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*