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Papillary carcinoma of choroid plexus. Light and electron microscopic study
Insights
This study examined two pediatric papillary carcinoma cases, revealing tumors originating in the lateral ventricle and spreading via cerebrospinal fluid. Histological and electron microscopy showed distinct cellular atypism and structural differences from choroid plexus papilloma.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Electron Microscopy
Background:
- Papillary carcinoma is a rare brain tumor.
- Understanding its histological and ultrastructural features is crucial for diagnosis and prognosis.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of papillary carcinoma originating in the lateral ventricle trigone were analyzed.
- Tumors exhibited rapid spread via cerebrospinal fluid.
- Histology revealed differentiated papillary architecture resembling choroid plexus papilloma, with areas of cellular atypism and multilayering.
Findings:
- Distinct differences in PAS, Alcian blue, and orcein staining were noted compared to choroid plexus papilloma.
- Electron microscopy showed loss of apical-basal polarity and indistinct microvilli and desmosome-like structures in carcinoma cells.
Implications:
- These findings contribute to differentiating papillary carcinoma from similar brain tumors in children.
- Further research into the unique ultrastructural characteristics may improve diagnostic accuracy.
- Understanding tumor spread mechanisms is vital for developing targeted therapies.
Abstract:
Two cases of papillary carcinoma, one in a 23-month-old girl and the other in a 25-month-old boy who both died within a relatively short time after operation, were studied histologically and electron microscopically. Both tumors originated in the right trigone of the lateral ventricle and spread widely via the cerebrospinal fluid. Histologically, the tumors consisted mostly of a differentiated papillary architecture closely resembling choroid plexus papilloma. Some carcinoma cells, showing cellular atypism, displayed a multilayer arrangement. The amount and distribution of PAS-, Alcian blue-, or orcein-positive substances on the cell surface and/or in the interstitial elements of the carcinomas differed from that of choroid papillomas examined in our laboratory. Electron microscopically, the carcinoma cells in some areas showed a loss of apical-basal polarity, and the formation of both microvilli and desmosome-like structures was indistinct. Papillary carcinoma is reviewed on the basis of the literature from 1906 till 1980.