Apoptotic bodies and abnormally dividing epithelial cells in squamous cell carcinoma

Apoptotic bodies were investigated ultrastructurally in 10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma taken from buccal mucosa, tongue and larynx. Epithelial cells undergoing mitosis were found to show premature formation of nuclear membranes around various aggregates of chromosomal material giving the appearance of micronuclei. These cells were also shown to exhibit changes in their cytoplasm different from those seen in normally dividing epithelial cells. The changes seen in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of these cells were similar to those observed in cells undergoing apoptosis. It is suggested from this study that some apoptotic bodies, especially those of epithelial cell origin, may result from degeneration affecting cells in abnormal mitosis.