Histological and Electron Microscopic Study of Human Cases

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Abstract
Four autopsy cases of mesothelioma were studied histologically and EM. One of them showed a pure epithelial type of the peritoneal origin, characterized by a tremendous production of hyaluronic acid. The other 3 tumors originated from the pleura revealed a histology of biphasic type mesothelioma, which showed an admixed tubular and fibrous pattern and consisted of small-sized cells with slight atypia. In some places of these tumors they showed considerable atypical features appearing like an anaplastic or squamoid carcinoma and/or spindle cell sarcoma. Hyaluronic acid was histologically demonstrated in the cytoplasmic vacuoles as well as in the luminal space surrounded by the tumor cells. EM, varied numbers of microvilli and desmosome-like attachments were found on the surface of the tumor cells. Mitochondria were small and round. Well-developed RER [rough endoplasmic reticulum] tended to encircle mitochondria and to dilate forming cisternae. Various amounts of microfilaments were found in the cytoplasm. The tumor cells which were rich in the latter 2 components, dilated RER and microfilaments, resembled fibroblasts. Some tumor cells had phagosomes including dense and fine granules similar to ferritin, suggesting their phagocytotic activity. The hyaline matrix, common to the biphasic type tumor which was largely composed of dense collagenous tissues, was demonstrated to contain hyaluronic acid by histochemistry, and it was suggested that some secretory substances of the tumor cell may participate in composing the hyaline matrix to some extent.

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