title: Amphicrine differentiation in bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma.
abstract: We report for the first time a classical bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma with both exocrine and endocrine differentiation (amphicrine) in the same cell. At electron microscopy the tumor cells showed a mixed type II alveolar cell/Clara cell and mucous differentiation. In addition, there were many dense-core neurosecretory granules at the base of the majority of the cells. Immunocytochemically the tumor showed positivity for surfactant and a panel of neuroendocrine antibodies, including NSE, PGP9.5, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. The presence of neuroendocrine differentiation was not hinted at by routine histology and did not indicate a more aggressive behavior in this case since the patient is well 3 years after the resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Lung Pathology, Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Thurlow
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dewar
mesh_terms: D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000473:pathology*