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Electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies of spindle cell carcinoma of the breast

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Abstract

A spindle cell carcinoma of the breast was investigated by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Histologically, the tumor was composed of an admixture of carcinomatous parts and sarcomatoid element composed of atypical spindle cells. Ultrastructurally, carcinomatous cells had numerous tonofilaments and desmosomes, and occasional intracytoplasmic lumina. In contrast, spindle cells possessed numerous intermediate filaments and a few weak junctions. Immunohistochemically, carcinomatous cells showed positive reactions for epithelial markers, but spindle cells for vimentin, only. Thus, the carcinomatous cells had characteristics of epithelial cells, but the spindle cells had characteristics of mesenchymal cells. These features were distinguishable by both electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pathology, Saitama Cancer Cente, 818, Komuro, Ina-machi, Kitaadachi-gun, 362, Saitama, Japan

    Masafumi Kurosumi

  2. Division of Electron Microscopy, Saitama Cancer Center, 818, Komuro, Ina-machi, Kitaadarchi-gun, 362, Saitama, Japan

    Michihiro Sakamoto

  3. Breast Surgery Clinic, Saitama Cancer Center, 818, Komuro, Ina-machi, Kitaadachi-gun, 362, Saitama, Japan

    Yasuhiro Higashi

Authors
  1. Masafumi Kurosumi
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  2. Michihiro Sakamoto
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  3. Yasuhiro Higashi
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Kurosumi, M., Sakamoto, M. & Higashi, Y. Electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies of spindle cell carcinoma of the breast. Med Electron Microsc 28, 88–94 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348025

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348025

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