glycogen and Mesothelioma

Topics: Aged; Carcinoid Tumor; Carcinoma; Colonic Polyps; Colonoscopy; Diagnosis, Differential; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Gene Deletion; Genes, p16; Glycogen; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Intestine, Small; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Prognosis

A clear cell mesothelioma presenting as an incarcerated ventral abdominal hernia in a 67-year-old man who had no history of asbestos exposure is described. The cause of the cytoplasmic clearing was the presence of large amounts of glycogen. Although uncommon, this variant of mesothelioma is important to recognize because it can be easily confused with other clear cell tumors involving the serosal membranes. Significant recent advances in the immunohistochemistry of epithelioid mesothelioma are briefly reviewed because immunohistochemical studies can be helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis.

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Diagnosis, Differential; Glycogen; Hernia, Abdominal; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Mesothelioma; Peritoneal Neoplasms

An autopsy case of a malignant pericardial mesothelioma in a 27-year-old man with no history of exposure to asbestos is reported. He was admitted for heart failure due to pericardial effusion of unknown origin and surgically drained, but later died. The diagnosis of a malignant pericardial mesothelioma was made on the basis of histologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings. The tumor was located on the pericardium, but autopsy revealed that it had spread extensively in the mediastinum and the lungs. Microscopically, the tumor cells were epithelial like and contained histochemically demonstrable glycogen and hyaluronic acid. Immunohistochemical studies of the tumor demonstrated positive immunoreactivity for cytokeratin 19, muscle actin HHF35, epithelial membrane antigen, CA125, p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 whereas the tumor was negative for cytokeratins 10 and 17, carcinoembryonic antigen, vimentin, epithelial antigen BerEP4, S-100, c-erbB2 and bcl-2. A high MIB-1 labeling index was noted. Under the electron microscope the tumor cells exhibited long, thin villi. The operation and autopsy findings thus revealed this to be a very rare case of malignant pericardial mesothelioma in a young man.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers, Tumor; Desmosomes; Fatal Outcome; Glycogen; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lung Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Microscopy, Electron; Microvilli; Pericardial Effusion; Pericardium; Radiography, Thoracic; Tight Junctions

A primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the pleura that clinically mimicked a malignant mesothelioma in a 57-year-old man is described. Histologically, the tumor had features similar to those described in cases of the so-called epithelioid MPNST. A unique finding in this case was the demonstration of keratin expression in the epithelioid component of the tumor, as well as the presence of rhabdomyoblasts. This is the first example of an MPNST with heterologous elements arising in the pleura. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies were important in differentiating this tumor from other malignancies with sarcomatoid and epithelioid features involving the pleura.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Differentiation; Diagnosis, Differential; Fatal Outcome; Glycogen; Humans; Keratins; Male; Mesothelioma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms; Pleural Neoplasms; Rhabdomyosarcoma

Topics: Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Glycogen; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mesothelioma; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumour of the serosal cavities which is associated with exposure to asbestos. Studies of this tumour have been limited by a paucity of well-characterized human MM cell lines. In this study, 5 human MM cell lines were established from pleural effusions of patients with this malignancy. All 5 patients were males with known crocidolite asbestos exposure, who had received no treatment for their disease and in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by cytology, histology and electron microscopy (EM). These lines have been in culture from 11 to 25 months, and all of them for more than 18 passages. The appearance of the cells in culture was extremely varied; in 3 of the lines they were spindle-shaped with few vacuoles (JU77, LO68 and ONE58); in 1 line they had a thick, stellate shape with vacuoles (NO36) and in 1 they were very pleomorphic in both shape and size with irregular membranes and numerous vacuoles [DeH128 (M)]. Upon reaching confluence, cells in 3 of the 5 lines assumed the cobblestone-like pattern characteristic of epithelial-type cells, whereas in the other 2 (LO68 and ONE58) they remained spindle-shaped. All 5 lines demonstrated a loss of contact inhibition (i.e., piling) at confluence. Minimum doubling times varied significantly from 18 hr (JU77) to more than 30 hr [DeH128 (M)]. Cytological examination showed characteristic mesothelial/mesothelioma morphology, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin were demonstrated in cells from all 5 lines. These cells lacked CEA and epithelial mucin. The presence of cell junctions, glycogen and numerous long, thin, branching microvilli was readily demonstrable by EM. All lines had abnormal karyotypes, with the modal chromosome number varying from 40 to 80. Variable chromosome numbers, numerous structural rearrangements and unrecognizable marker chromosomes were readily observed; however, the only consistent change seen was del 6q21 in 4 of the 5 lines. The establishment of these 5 cultured human MM cell lines now provides an opportunity for comparative study of several aspects of the biology of MM in vitro as well as screening new treatment modalities.

Topics: Adult; Asbestos; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Cell Division; Cytoplasm; Glycogen; Humans; Karyotyping; Keratins; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mesothelioma; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Pleural Effusion; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vacuoles

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cell Nucleus; Collagen; Fallopian Tube Neoplasms; Female; Glycogen; Glycosaminoglycans; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Mesothelioma; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucins; Mullerian Ducts; Reticulin; Testicular Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms

Topics: Biopsy; Bronchial Neoplasms; Cell Membrane; Cytoplasm; Cytoplasmic Granules; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Glycogen; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Lipids; Male; Mesothelioma; Microscopy, Electron; Neoplasm Metastasis; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Pleural Neoplasms