Some observations on the fine structure of human granulosa cell tumors

The ultrastructural features of three granulosa cell tumors are presented. The neoplastic non-luteinized granulosa cells are characterized at sub-microscopical level by severely indented nuclei with prominent nucleoli, sparse to moderately developed predominantly granular endoplasmic reticulum, scanty lipids and lysosomes, small mitochondria with lamellar cristae and abundant intracytoplasmic filamentous material. The luteinized cells display a strongly developed tubular agranular endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria with tubular cristae. These findings are compared with those of previous reports and discussed in relation to the well-known hormonal activity of these tumors.