ATYPICAL ENDOCRINE TUMORS OF THE LUNG

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 105  (1) , 20-28
Abstract
Seven malignant peripheral lung tumors that were diagnosed using light microscopy as large-cell carcinomas or as epidermoid or adenocarcinomas were studied by EM and light microscopic histochemistry. All tumors contained numerous dense-core granules. The cells were joined by desmosomes and contained well-developed tonofilament bundles. Serotonin was demonstrated in 6 of 7 tumors and argyrophilic granules were demonstrated in 5 of 6 tumors tested. Four tumors produced mucus. All tumors extended to the visceral pleura and 2 invaded the chest wall. The existence of lung tumors that contain serotonin and bear argyrophilic putative endocrine granules but that do not have a light-microscopic histology characteristic of carcinoid or oat-cell carcinomas is confirmed. The presumptive endocrine nature of such tumors usually passes unrecognized because they lack criteria to allow diagnosis by routine methods.