Glycogen-rich Clara cell-type bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma: light and electron microscopic study

A clear cell type of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma removed from the lung of a 63-year-old man was studied by light and electron microscopy. The tumor was composed exclusively of Clara cells identified by the presence of secretory granules, an abundance of granular endoplasmic reticulum, a moderate number of mitochondria and prominent Golgi complexes. The tumor cells were tall columnar and had clear cytoplasm due to the presence of large pools of intracytoplasmic glycogen. This feature has not heretofore been described. Ultrastructural features distinguishing this tumor from benign clear cell tumors of the lung and clear cell carcinomas of the kidney are described.