Summary
A loss of cells in the cerebellar cortex of autopsy subjects without previous neurologic symptomatology having died with carcinoma has been shown with classical morphometric procedures and automatic measuring techniques. The reduction of the number of Purkinje cells was an overall finding, whereas the loss of granular cells was restricted to a few types of carcinomas. In ovarian carcinoma the Purkinje cell and granular cell loss was most pronounced and their respective values were within the range of systemic cerebellar atrophies. These findings are likely to constitute clinically latent and biologically compensated precursor stages wich under certain conditions go on to a subsequent overt paraneoplastic syndrom.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beck, E., Daniel, P. M., Parry, H. P.: Degeneration of the cerebellar and hypothalamoneurohypophysial systems in sheep with scrapie; its relationship to human system degenerations. Brain87, 153–176 (1964)
Brain, W. R., Daniel, P. M., Greenfield, J. G.: Subacute cortical degeneration and its relation to carcinoma. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.14, 59–72 (1951)
Brain, W. R., Wilkonson, M.: Subacute cerebellar degeneration in patients with carcinoma. In: The remote effect of cancer on the nervous system, pp. 17–23. W. R. Brain, Ed. New York-London: Grune & Stratton 1965
Chalkley, H. W.: Methods for estimating surface-volume ratios. Science110, 295–297 (1949)
Doerfler, G.: In: Stereology (H. Elias, Ed.), pp. 231–232. New York: Springer 1967
Glagoleff, A. A.: On the geometrical methods of quantitative mineralogic analysis of rocks. Inst. Econ. Mineral. (USSR) 59–66 (1933)
Greenfield, J. G.: Subacute spino-cerebellar degeneration occuring in elderly patients. Brain57, 161–176 (1934)
Leigh, A. D., Meyer, A.: Degeneration of the granular layer of the cerebellum. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.12, 287–296 (1949)
Minckler, J.: Physical growth of the nervous system. In: Pathology of the nervous system. Vol. I. London: McGraw-Hill 1968
Pearl, R.: Studies in human biology. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins 1924.
Rohr, H. P., Keller, M.: Vielzweck-Microcomputerprogramm für automatische Auswertung morphometrischer Daten von licht- und elektronenmikroskopischen Bildern. In Vorbereitung (1973)
Thomas, C., Noetzel: Neurologische Formen des paraneoplastischen Syndroms. Stuttgart: F. K. Schattauer 1972
Victor, M.: The remote effects of nutritional deficiency on the nervous system, a comparison with effects of carcinoma. In: The remote effect of cancer on the nervous system, pp. 134–161. W. R. Brain, Ed. New York-London: Grune & Stratton 1965
Victor, M., Adams, R. D., Mancall, E. L.: A restricted form of cerebellar degeneration occurring in alcoholic patients. Arch. Neurol. (Chic.)1, 579–688 (1959)
Weibel, E. R., Elias, H.: Quantitative methods in morphology, pp. 3–16, 89–97. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1966
Weibel, E. R., Knight, B. W.: A morphometric study on the thickness of pulmonary air-blood barrier. J. Cell Biol.21, 367–377 (1964)
Weibel, E. R., Kistler, G. S., Scherlen, F.: Practical stereologic methods for morphometric cytology. J. Cell Biol.30, 23–60 (1966)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmid, A.H., Riede, U.N. A morphometric study of the cerebellar cortex from patients with carcinoma. Acta Neuropathol 28, 343–352 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00685288
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00685288