Primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma with enteric differentiation.
A pulmonary neoplasm with cytologic characteristics typical of differentiated small intestinal epithelium is reported. Individual cells showed features suggesting columnar absorptive, goblet, Paneth, and neuroendocrine cell differentiation. Thorough investigation and follow-up for 4 years did not identify a primary tumor other than in the lung. The occurrence of such a neoplasm at this site is evidence for the existence of a common stem cell in the lower respiratory and gastrointestinal tract mucosa.
Tsao
M S
MS
Department of Pathology, Montreal General Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Fraser
R S
RS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000328:Adult; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure