[Electron microscopic analysis of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung]

Twenty-three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs of various degrees of cataplasia were examined electron microscopically and in 12 cases of these a morphometric analysis of the tumour cell ultrastructure was done. The results showed keratohyalin to be present in squamous carcinoma cells both with and without keratinization; however, its content decreased with the increase of the tumor cataplasia. Thus the degree of development of keratohyalin may be the main objective criterion of the cataplasia degree of squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs. The increased activity of free polyribosomal apparatus with increasing cataplasia of the tumour, increased general synthetic activity of tumour cells as well as the strong correlation of these parameters with the volume fraction of keratohyalin are additional criteria of the degree of cataplasia of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.