Diagnostic electron microscopy of head and neck tumors

One hundred sixty-one neoplasms from the region of the head and neck were studied by electron microscopy to define (1) subcellular structures important of essential to diagnosis, and (2) the application and/or limitations of fresh, formaldehyde-fixed, and paraffin-blocked tissues for diagnostic use. It was concluded that electron microscopical identification of specific cytoplasmic structures was helpful in the diagnosis of head and neck neoplasms, especially those that were equivocal at the light microscopical level. Although electron microscopy could permit a more accurate classification of neoplasms in many cases, it was of little value in separating benign from malignant lesions. It was also concluded that formaldehyde-fixed tissue was a reliable source of material for these studies. Paraffin-embedded tissue was much more limited.