Malignant mesothelioma with intracytoplasmic crystalline inclusions
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007.
Ultrastructural Pathology. 2007 Jan-Feb;31(1):73-6. [Link]
Goedhals J, Beukes CA, Cooper S.
Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State and National Health Laboratory Services, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Abstract
A 60-year-old female presented with a history of hoarseness, cough, chest pain, and dyspnea and a needle biopsy sample was submitted for histology. Light microscopy showed sheets of tumor cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm containing multiple crystals and eccentrically located nuclei. Electron microscopy showed large intracytoplasmic crystalloid inclusions. No crystalloid structures were found extracellularly. The tumor cells also had long slender microvilli and cell junctions, the features being consistent with a malignant epithelial mesothelioma. In the authors’ experience this is a rare finding. The clinical information initially received was poor and electron microscopy was essential in making the correct diagnosis.
Keywords: crystalline inclusions; electron microscopy; mesothelioma
Glossary
- needle biopsy
- removal of fluid, cells, or tissue with a needle for examination under a microscope. There are two types
- diagnosis
- identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.
- cell
- the basic unit of which all living things are made. Cells replace themselves by splitting and forming new cells (mitosis). The processes that control the formation of new cells and the death of old cells are disrupted in cancer.
- biopsy
- (buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.
- tumor
- an abnormal lump or mass of tissue. Tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
