Ultrastructure of gastric leiomyosarcoma

Abstract
Samples of gastric leiomyosarcomas from two male patients (69 years and 57 years of age) were studied by electron microscopy. The tumour cells contained abundant 50–90 å thick microfilaments and microtubules. Another cell type, regarded as immature leiomyosarcoma cell, contained numerous profiles of granular endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes and a well developed Golgi apparatus. There were intercellular junctions of zonula adherens-type between adjacent tumour cells. It was concluded that electron microscopy offers a valuable aid in the diagnosis of gastric neoplasms of smooth muscle origin.