An ultrastructural study of mixed hepatoblastoma with osteoid elements

Cancer. 1975 Oct;36(4):1436-43. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197510)36:4<1436::aid-cncr2820360435>3.0.co;2-v.

Abstract

A case of mixed hepatoblastoma with osteoid elements was studied by light and electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of the epithelial elements showed a lack of differentiation and simple cytoplasmic organelles. However, an occasional cytoplasmic crystalloid structure were seen. The ultrastructure of the osteoid foci showed fibroblast-like cells capable of collagen formation, clearly distinguishable from the epithelial elements. These cells had neoplastic characteristics of nuclear pleomorphism and high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio. These findings support the belief that hepatoblastoma arises from a multipotential blastema capable of both epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation, with the osteoid elements being an intrinsic neoplastic component of the tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Collagen / analysis
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Epithelium / ultrastructure
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies / ultrastructure
  • Infant
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male

Substances

  • Collagen