Electron microscopic observations on sputum in alveolar cell carcinoma

This paper reports the techniques and results from the use of electron microscopy to augment the routine cytopathologic study of cells in sputum. The material for study consisted of specimens of sputum taken from a 75 year old white woman. The patient later died three months after the beginning of radiotherapy for alveolar cell carcinoma of the lung. Light microscopy revealed a homogenous population of cells, obviously malignant, and interpreted as being derived from alveolar cell carcinoma. Electron microscopic study showed prominent microvilli, numerous mitochondria, multiple foci of well-developed Golgi apparatus, and several types of lysosomes. The ultrastructure of these cells resembled that which has been described for type II alveolar cells from the lung.