glycogen and Giant-Cell-Tumors

Clinical and pathologic features of five low-grade mucoepidermoid and a similar number of squamous cell carcinomas of breast are presented. Three of each were retrieved from 55 cases of invasive breast cancer previously assessed to exhibit squamous metaplasia. Although the estimated incidence of low-grade mucoepidermoid cancers is approximately 0.2%, they may be more frequent, masquerading under designations of squamous metaplasia or intracystic carcinomas. All patients with low-grade mucoepidermoid cancer, and the two recorded previously, were free of recurrence for 4-10 years. No high-grade mucoepidermoid cancers were found. Squamous cell cancers frequently have a phyllode configuration (carcinoma phyllodes). Two examined by electron microscopy revealed a commonality of ultrastructural features with similar tumors of other sites. None exhibited glandular differentiation or tinctorial evidence of mucin secretion. One squamous cell carcinoma contained both malignant epithelial and banal, osteoclast-like, stromal giant cells. Only the latter were identified in tissue culture. This experience and review of the literature prompted a nosologic characterization of giant cell lesions of breast. One patient with squamous cell carcinoma succumbed because of her disease; the remainder are either free of or alive with recurrence at 4 and 10 years.

Topics: Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Giant Cell Tumors; Glycogen; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Mastectomy; Metaplasia; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucins

The light-microscopic and ultrastructural findings in a case of so-called giant cell tumor of soft parts, localized at the dorsal side of the left foot of a 23-years-old male are described. An amputation of the lower extremity was performed and subsequently chemotherapy with adriamycin was given for 3 months. Despite the histology and cytologic malignant appearance and the evident vascular invasion, already present at the time of the first excision, the last known status 2 years later seems favorable. There are no pathologic lymph nodes in the groins and no signs of metastases on chest X-rays. From the electron-microscope study no definite conclusion can be drawn as regards the histogenesis of this tumor. we feel, as do others, that many of the principal mononuclear tumor cells are poorly differentiated mesenchymal cells. Some of the neoplastic cells, however, show ultrastructural features suggestive of chondro- or osteoblasts (a well-developed r.e.r. containing electron-dense material; multiple Golgi complexes; masses of glycogen; interdigitating cell membrane villi; cytoplasmic filaments; an extracellular amorphous matrix). Some of the larger tumor cells have the submicroscopic aspects of histiocytes as described in osseous, cutaneous, or pulmonary lesions of the histiocytosis X group. As yet undetermined cytoplasmic inclusion bodies constitute another rare observation in our material.

Topics: Adult; Amputation, Surgical; Cell Membrane; Doxorubicin; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Foot; Giant Cell Tumors; Glycogen; Golgi Apparatus; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Male; Soft Tissue Neoplasms

Cytologic and cytochemical examination of eighteen cases of round-cell sarcoma of bone allowed classification of these tumors into four cytologic groups. Additional cytochemical examinations based on the PAS and D-PAS reactions, and the demonstration of the activity of peroxidase, naphtol-ASD-Chloracetate esterase, alpha-naphthylacetate esterase, naphthol-AS-acetate esterase with and without sodium fluoride inhibition, acid and alkaline phosphatases yielded no evidence of uniform behavior among the individual groups or within any single group. The studies showed that a positive glycogen reaction cannot be used as a basic criterion for the classification of such tumors as Ewing's sarcoma and for regarding them as a uniform tumor group. It is possible that a pool of tumors is involved, including tumors of monocytic and probably of lymphocytic origin, reticulum-cell sarcoma, tumors of myelocytic and erythroplastic origin, stem-cell tumors, and endothelial-cell tumors. Histologic examination alone is not sufficient for the classification of round-cell sarcomas of bone, and it should be supplemented by cytologic and cytochemical or histochemical methods. Osteosarcomas (23 cases) and chondrosarcomas (8 cases) display cells which are characteristic for these tumors and which could be correlated with their benign counterparts, osteoblasts and chondroid cells. The histologically recognizable degree of malignancy of chondrosarcoma can be evaluated better with the cytologic than with the histologic technic. Indications of the possibilities of differential diagnosis based on the cytologic pictures of benign and malignant osteoplastic and chondroplastic tumors, giant-cell tumors and chordoma are discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Bone Neoplasms; Cell Nucleolus; Cell Nucleus; Child; Chondroblastoma; Chondroma; Chondrosarcoma; Chordoma; Cytoplasm; Female; Giant Cell Tumors; Glycogen; Humans; Infant; Male; Naphthol AS D Esterase; Osteosarcoma; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Sarcoma; Sarcoma, Ewing

Topics: Adult; Bone Neoplasms; Cell Fusion; Cell Membrane; Cell Nucleus; Cytoplasm; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Epiphyses; Female; Giant Cell Tumors; Glycogen; Golgi Apparatus; Humans; Intercellular Junctions; Lysosomes; Male; Metatarsus; Middle Aged; Mitochondria; Radius; Tibia; Ulna

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Biopsy; Bone Cysts; Bone Diseases; Bone Neoplasms; Chondroma; Chondrosarcoma; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Diagnosis, Differential; Femoral Neoplasms; Fibrosarcoma; Giant Cell Tumors; Glycogen; Hemangioma; Hemangiosarcoma; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Ilium; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Multiple Myeloma; Neoplasm Metastasis; Osteoma; Osteoma, Osteoid; Osteomyelitis; Osteosarcoma; Ribs; Sarcoma, Ewing; Tibia; Trephining; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular