title: Surface ultrastructure of epidermal proliferative lesions and atypias in relation to development of malignancy.
abstract: The significance of surface ultrastructural changes as indicators of neoplastic transformation and malignant progression in carcinogen induced experimental lesions in mice and premalignant and malignant lesions in man was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and correlated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), light microscopy and biological behavior. The results showed the interfollicular epidermis consisted of polygonal cells in a cobblestone pattern, with regular microridges and grooves. Hyperplastic benign lesions in animals developed into papillomas reflected in proliferation and piling up of cells with surface scales and microvillous-like formations. In dysplastic states with malignant potential, solar keratoses, the smooth surface of the angular irregular cells reflected cytological abnormalities in the underlying epidermal cells. It was concluded that the surface ultrastructure reflects the biological behavior of epidermal cells indicating the development and structure of these lesions not obtainable by other methods.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010212:Papilloma / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays