Ovarian carcinoid composed of argyrophil and argentaffin cells

A rare case of ovarian carcinoid tumor composed of both argyrophil and argentaffin cells is reported. The tumor cells were arranged in solid-trabecular or glandular fashion. Electron microscopically, each of the argyrophil and argentaffin tumor cells had intracytoplasmic neurosecretory granules possessing their own characteristics. Immunoflourescent and immunohistological procedures failed to demonstrate thyroglobulin, calcitonin, and CEA in the tumor. No structures suggestive of a struma ovarii were identifiable. Scattered in the tumor were mucinous cysts with APUD cells lying between the lining epithelial cells. These APUD cells are thought to be the origin of this pure ovarian carcinoid tumor.