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GANT-like gastrointestinal pacemaker cell tumours with oncocytic features
S Damiani1, G Pasquinelli, V Eusebi
1Department of Oncology, Section of Anatomical Pathology and Histopathology Marcello Malpighi, University of Bologna, Italy.
Virchows Archiv : an International Journal of Pathology
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Two gastrointestinal stromal tumors showed oncocytic features, suggesting differentiation toward interstitial cells of Cajal (CC). This finding expands the understanding of these rare tumors and their cellular origins.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms.
- Interstitial cells of Cajal (CC) are pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract, implicated in GIST development.
- Oncocytic changes, characterized by abundant granular cytoplasm, are not typically associated with GISTs or CC differentiation.
Observation:
- Two cases of GISTs with prominent oncocytic morphology are presented.
- Neoplastic cells exhibited nests and bundles with abundant, deeply eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed positivity for c-kit, vimentin, and CD34.
Findings:
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed features characteristic of CC, including synapse-like structures and dense core cytoplasmic granules.
- Oncocytic features were confirmed via anti-mitochondrion antibody immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.
- This represents the first report of oncocytic changes in GISTs with apparent CC differentiation.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that oncocytic metaplasia can occur in GISTs differentiating towards CC.
- This expands the morphological spectrum of GISTs and their potential cellular origins.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and clinical significance of oncocytic changes in GISTs.