Electron microscopy in the diagnosis of small round cell tumors of bone

Small round cell tumors involving bone can present problems in differential diagnosis by light microscopy. In exploring the role of electron microscopy in this situation, seven small cell osteosarcomas and seven mesenchymal chondrosarcomas were examined by electron microscopy and compared with typical and atypical Ewing's sarcomas. There is much overlap in the ultrastructural features of these tumors, but electron microscopy is helpful to establish or confirm a diagnosis of typical Ewing's sarcoma and, if representative matrix is present, of small cell osteosarcoma.