Ultrastructure of the primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET).
We report a prospective series of consecutive cases of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) studied by electron microscopy. Virtually all specimens showed a differentiation along neuroblastic lines as evidenced by the presence of neurites, dense-cored vesicles, microtubules and adhesive plaque junctions. We observed also numerous intracytoplasmic cilia and autophagic vacuoles. Synaptic specializations were only rarely seen. We conclude that PNET is a tumor category which is not undifferentiated ("primitive") and clearly exhibits features of neuroblastic differentiation.
Alwasiak
J
J
Electron Microscopic Laboratory, Medical Academy, Lódź.
Papierz
W
W
Kolasa
P
P
Wegrzyn
Z
Z
Zakrzewski
K
K
Polis
L
L
Liberski
P P
PP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018242:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011446:Prospective Studies