title: Myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma versus myxoid liposarcoma. A comparative ultrastructural study.
abstract: An ultrastructural comparison of 7 examples of myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma (myxoid MFH) with 6 of myxoid liposarcoma is described. Despite certain histological differences between the two, electron microscopy was more valuable in differentiating MFH from liposarcoma. Electron microscopically, MFH contained a variety of cell types including histiocyte-like, fibroblast-like, intermediate-type, xanthomatous, multinucleated tumor giant cells and undifferentiated cells. Liposarcoma was composed mainly of lipoblasts at various stages of differentiation with a minority of undifferentiated cells and fibroblast-like cells. In contrast to the component cells of the MFH, these lipoblasts were characterized by abundant cytoplasmic glycogen, numerous pinocytotic vesicles and a discontinuous basal lamina in addition to large lipid droplets.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006003:Glycogen / Q000032:analysis; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010873:Pinocytosis; D013848:Thigh
chemical_list: D006003:Glycogen