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Tumours may be innervated.
1Alfried-Krupp Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Germany. umc001@uni-bonn.de
Virchows Archiv : an International Journal of Pathology
|April 24, 2001
Summary
Tumours are often assumed to lack nerves. However, this study found nerve fibres within two human eye adenomas, suggesting some tumours may be innervated.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Tumours are generally considered non-innervated.
- Previous assumptions questioned by an accidental observation of nerve fibers in an eye adenoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of nerve tissue in adenomas of the ciliary body epithelium.
- To ultrastructurally evaluate pigmented and non-pigmented adenomas for nerve fibers.
Main Methods:
- Surgical removal of two human eye adenomas (pigmented and non-pigmented).
- Ultrastructural evaluation using transmission electron microscopy.
- Systematic screening for nerve tissue within the tumour samples.
Main Results:
- Both adenomas (pigmented and non-pigmented) contained fine unmyelinated nerve fibers.
- Nerve fibers were observed in the tumor periphery near blood vessels and tumor cells.
- In one adenoma, nerve fibers were also found in more central areas.
Conclusions:
- This study provides evidence of nerve fiber presence in ciliary body epithelium adenomas.
- The findings challenge the assumption that tumours are not innervated.
- Further research is needed to confirm and understand the implications of innervated tumours.