Ultrastructure of glycogen-rich clear cell carcinoma of the palate

Tissues from four local recurrences of a palatal tumor and regional lymph node metastases were studied by light microscopy while ultrastructural observations were made on the most recent tumor. The tumor was composed of solid sheets, clumps, and small nests of polyhedral epithelial cells with well-defined cell boundaries, clear cytoplasm, and cellular pleomorphism. Histochemical stains indicated the presence of abundant intracellular glycogen deposits in all tumor specimens examined. Ultrastructural observations revealed solid sheets of epithelial cells which lacked both surrounding basement lamina and ductal arrangements. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells was filled with beta glycogen deposits and contained scattered bundles of tonofilaments and scant organelles. The transition between the glycogen-rich tumor cells and surface epithelium showed intervening cells which contained diffusely dispersed ribosomes and small amounts of glycogen. The tumor probably originated from surface epithelium.