Ultrastructural features of neuroendocrine differentiated carcinomas of the breast

The ultrastructural patterns of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiated breast carcinomas are analyzed and discussed. Reports in the literature describe wide variations in the size of observed dense-core membrane-bound granules and discrepancies in their interpretation. In the present study 24 cases of b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inUltrastructural pathology Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 321
Main Authors Capella, C, Usellini, L, Papotti, M, Macrì, L, Finzi, G, Eusebi, V, Bussolati, G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.01.1990
Subjects
Aged
Breast Neoplasms - ultrastructure
Chromogranin A
Chromogranins - analysis
Cytoplasm - ultrastructure
Cytoplasmic Granules - ultrastructure
Endoplasmic Reticulum - ultrastructure
Female
Golgi Apparatus - ultrastructure
Histocytochemistry
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Microscopy, Electron
Mitochondria - ultrastructure
Mucins - analysis
Neurosecretory Systems - ultrastructure
Serotonin - analysis
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Summary:The ultrastructural patterns of neuroendocrine (NE) differentiated breast carcinomas are analyzed and discussed. Reports in the literature describe wide variations in the size of observed dense-core membrane-bound granules and discrepancies in their interpretation. In the present study 24 cases of breast carcinoma with recognized morphologic, histochemical, and immunocytochemical features of NE tumors were investigated. Five different types of dense-core granules of neurosecretory (NS) type (confirmed by the ultrastructural localization of chromogranin A) and five different cell types were recognized. Some amphicrine cells were found to contain both mucin and NS granules. Another notable ultrastructural feature of breast NE carcinomas was the presence of clear vesicles of presynaptic type, which correlated with expression of synaptophysin.
ISSN:0191-3123
DOI:10.3109/01913129009032247