Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections representing ten cases of hepatocellular carcinoma showed many tumor cells with ground-glass cytoplasm identical to that found in hepatocytes containing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, the aldehyde fuchsin stain was negative, as were the were the immunoperoxisidase stains for HBsAg and core antigen (HBcAg). Electron microscopically, the ground-glass appearance corresponded to the presence of non-membrane-bound amorphous or fibrillar inclusions. Immunohistochemically, the ground-glass material reacted with antiserum to human fibrinogen, suggesting synthesis of this protein by the carcinoma cells. Although the ground-glass appearance in hepatocellular carcinomas may sometimes be associated with HBsAg, special stains or technics are necessary to confirm its presence.
A case of an alveolar soft part sarcoma was studied electron microscopically. This showed tumor cells separated by external lamina that incorporated desmosome‐like structures. Well defined basal lamina separated several cells from underlying endothelial cells by a zone of tissue composed predominantly of fibrous long‐spacing collagen. A unique finding was the presence within several tumor cells of well defined myelin sheaths and myelinated axons. Apart from various other intracellular organelles some of the cells contained closely aggregated fine filamentous structures: the so‐called “angulate bodies.” All these findings are interpreted as evidence for a tumor showing marked Schwann cell differentiation, and therefore, it is suggested that alveolar soft part sarcoma is histogenetically a neoplasm of the neural crest.
Summary
A Sertoli cell tumour that occurred in a true hermaphrodite with a 46, XX chromosome constitution is described. Removal of the tumour was followed by an immediate fall in plasma FSH and LH concentrations. It is suggested that the tumour possessed the capacity for ectopic production of the gonadotrophins.
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