alpha-chymotrypsin and Teratoma

Five cases of pancreatic neoplasms accompanied by production of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and serum elevation of this marker are presented, and the better-documented cases of this phenomenon from the literature are reviewed. Four of the cases originated in the orthotopic pancreas, whereas the fifth arose in the pancreatic component of a mediastinal teratoma. The patients were children or young adults. AFP production in pancreatic tumors is closely linked to acinar differentiation, most cases representing either pancreatoblastoma or acinar cell carcinoma. The distinction between these 2 tumors may be difficult because of the many morphologic and immunohistochemical features they share.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; alpha-Fetoproteins; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Cell Differentiation; Child; Chromogranins; Chymotrypsin; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Teratoma; Trypsin

Using an ammoniacal silver nitrate stain, we have demonstrated typical microglial cells in three teratomas. Microglia appeared identical to their counterparts in the mature human brain, both resting and slightly hypertrophic types being present in differentiated nervous tissue, which also comprised astrocytes, neurones and ependyma. The implications of the presence of microglia with ectodermal derivatives in teratomas are discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; Astrocytes; Chymotrypsin; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Tissue; Ovarian Neoplasms; Teratoma; Testicular Neoplasms