[Langerhans cells in invasive laryngeal carcinoma (author's transl)]

The occurrence and the ultrastructural morphology of Langerhans cells in invasive squamous epithelial carcinoma of the larynx was demonstrated by electron microscopy. The Langerhans cells are characterized by a deeply lobulated nucleus, dendritic cell processes, individual cytoplasmic filaments, the lack of tonofilaments, premelanosomes, melanosomes, desmosomes and other cell junctions. The particular ultrastructural criterion of Langerhans cells is the presence of the specific Langerhans granule. The occurrence of Langerhans cells in laryngeal carcinoma is presented and compared in respect to the findings in other lesions. Various aspects of the immunological function of the Langerhans cell population are also discussed.