acid-phosphatase and Retroperitoneal-Neoplasms

We have presented a case of typical alveolar soft part sarcoma probably originating from the soft tissues of the retroperitoneum with metastasis to the brain. An ultrastructural study including histochemical observation of the metastatic lesion was performed to clarify the nature of the crystals characteristic to the tumor cells of this disease. The crystalline structures have acid phosphatase activity at a histological and ultrastructural level. Our results suggested that they might be derived from coalescence of primary lysosomes or by digestive disintegration of some protein.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Crystallization; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Occipital Lobe; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms; Sarcoma

The clinical application of an immunohistochemical technique for prostatic acid phosphatase allowed the accurate diagnosis of metastatic prostatic carcinoma in 17 patients whose condition was not recognized by either clinical or histologic observations. The cardinal manifestations in these 17 patients included supraclavicular lymphadenopathy in 7, hilar lymphadenopathy in 1, pulmonary infiltration in 2, simulating carcinoma of the rectum in 4, fracture of femur in 1, orbital tumor in 1, and brain tumor in 1. A retrospective analysis of the radiologic features of these patients showed that the unusual manifestations were due to the route of metastasis, that is, direct invasion, lymphatic, and hematogenous. Radiologic studies, even in these unusual cases, are both useful in establishing the diagnosis and helpful in delineating the mode of metastasis of prostatic carcinoma.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Brain Neoplasms; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed