SCLEROSING STROMAL TUMOR OF THE OVARY - IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC DEMONSTRATION OF SMOOTH-MUSCLE DIFFERENTIATION

  • 1 April 1989
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 113  (4) , 372-376
Abstract
Two cases of sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary (SST) are described. Immunohistochemical analysis of SSTs was performed using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded materials in comparison with thecofibromas and normal ovaries. The existence of desmin- and smooth-muscle actin-positive isolated spindle cells in SSTs and also in cortical stroma of the normal ovary was characteristically demonstrated, whereas such smooth-muscle-like cells were absent from six thecofibromas. Immunohistochemistry of desmin and smooth-muscle actin is useful in distinguishing SST from thecofibroma. Ultrastructural study further evidenced the presence of smooth-muscle-like cells in SSTs. In addition, we histochemically demonstrated heterogeneous cellular components in SSTs, including fibroblastic, theca-like, smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Hence, it is suggested that SST is derived from pluripotent immature stromal cells of the ovarian cortex.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: