Shigeaki Iwanaga

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic evidence of epithelial phagocytosis of spermatozoa in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat

Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations have been made in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat, with emphasis on the occurrence of spermiophagy. The present study has revealed that epithelial cells as well as luminal macrophages are extensively and actively involved in phagocytosis of spermatozoa. The mechanism of the spermiophagy is discussed, in relation to a possible role of the epithelial cells, as one function of the vas deferens.

ALVEOLAR SOFT PART SARCOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

A rare case of an alveolar soft part sarcoma of the uterine cervix in an 8 year old girl is presented. The patient was admitted because of genital bleeding lasting for 7 months. A polypoid tumor, 2times1.5 cm in diameter, was found in her external uterine os and was surgically resected. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of a uniform sheet of tumor cells in the cytoplasm which contained granules and which were stained with periodic acid‐Schiff, both before and after the diastase digestion. Alveolar arrangement of the tumor cells was manifested with reticulin silver impregnation. Dense, membrane bound granules were evident at an ultrastructural level in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. An immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a positive reaction for anti‐desmin, anti‐myoglobin, anti‐HHF35 and anti‐neuron specific enolase in the cytoplasm.

Ovarian hepatoid carcinoma without staining for alpha-fetoprotein in the primary site.

An ovarian hepatoid carcinoma associated with minimal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) production is described. The tumor involved both ovaries, and had metastasized to the omentum, uterus and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets, had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, central nuclei and distinct cellular borders. Despite the morphologic similarity to the histology of a hepatocellular carcinoma, elevation of the serum AFP level was minimal, at 74.0 ng ml−1 (normal range: under 20 ng ml−1), and the value normalized after surgery and subsequent chemotherapy. An immunohistochemical technique revealed focal staining for albumin in the tumor tissue and AFP in the uterine metastasis. Since the primary tumor itself did not stain for AFP, it is suggested that there may be hepatoid ovarian carcinomas without AFP production, a situation found in some hepatocellular carcinomas.

Phagocytosis of latex beads by the epithelial cells in the terminal region of the vas deferens of the cat: SEM and TEM study

Summary:  The present scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations of the terminal vas deferens of the cat have revealed that the epithelial cells, like luminal macrophages, are not only involved in the removal of spermatozoa as previously reported but also capable of taking up actively the latex beads injected to the lumen. In addition, orchidectomy has been shown to do not have any remarkable effects on the ability of the epithelial cells for phagocytosis of beads.

A pregnant woman with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the ovary arising from endometriosis and with benign and borderline adenofibroma of the clear cell and endometrioid types

We encountered a case of ovarian cancer in a 33-year-old, 8-week pregnant woman. Histological examination revealed both a transitive form of ovarian endometriosis with marked decidual changes due to pregnancy and clear cell carcinoma. Benign and borderline clear cell adenofibroma and benign and borderline endometrioid adenofibroma were also found. Parts of these adenofibromas showed transformation to clear cell carcinoma. This case suggests that clear cell carcinoma can arise from clear cell adenofibromas and/or ovarian endometriosis, even in young patients.

An unusual endometrioid adenofibroma of the uterine cervix: a histologic and immunohistochemical study

An unusual adenofibroma of the uterine cervix is reported. The cervix was bulkily enlarged but did not have a polypoid appearance. The neoplastic epithelium was in continuity with the covering epithelium of the cervix and consisted predominantly of endometrioid cells which proliferated to form numerous glandular structures of irregular size and shape. The glandular component resembled an endometrial hyperplasia, and was set in an abundant fibrous stroma which was moderately cellular and hyalinized. Both the epithelial and mesenchymal cells lacked cytologic atypia. Despite its benign appearance, the tumor occupied almost all the uterine cervix and extended into the upper vaginal wall. The epithelial cells showed diffuse positive staining for CA19-9 and were focally positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. The presence of dense periglandular fibrosis distinguished the present case from a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of endometrioid type.