Scanning electron microscopy in the diagnosis of bronchogenic squamous cell and small cell anaplastic carcinoma

The authors believe that differential diagnostic aspects between poorly-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDS) and small cell anaplastic carcinoma (SCA) may be shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of 'thick' sections from routine paraffin-embedded tissues. In 8 'sample' cases features were demonstrated which were typical of PDS (well-defined outlines of cells, intercellular bridges) and of SCA (fairly smooth cell surface, nuclei in relief, a spongy, granular-like appearance of cytoplasm).