Pleomorphic adenocarcinoma of the ciliary epithelium: a clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, DNA-ploidy and comparative genomic hybridization analysis of an unusual case.
OBJECTIVE
To describe detailed phenotypic and genotypic analysis of a pleomorphic adenocarcinoma of the ciliary epithelium (CE).


METHODS
An 86-year-old white woman developed an enlarging mass protruding from her previously eviscerated left eye 2 months postoperatively. Based on light and ultrastructural microscopy, the final diagnosis was a pleomorphic adenocarcinoma of the ciliary epithelium (CE).


CONCLUSIONS
Cell proliferation indices confirmed the unusually rapid growth rate of this tumor; the peridiploid DNA content might explain the relatively low incidence of distant metastases. An imbalance of the chromosome 6 was also found by Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH).
Nicolò
M
M
Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Genova, Italy. massimonicolo@iol.it
Nicolò
G
G
Zingirian
M
M
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 / Q000235:genetics; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011003:Ploidies; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm