Spectrum of ultrastructural patterns of renal cell adenocarcinoma

The ultrastructure of renal cell carcinoma was studied in 6 patients. This study demonstrated a spectrum of ultrastructural patterns ranging from the classic electron microscopic features of granular cell carcinoma at one extreme, to those of clear cell carcinoma at the other extreme. Other tumors demonstrated intermediate features. There was reasonably good correlation between the light microscopy and electron microscopy. Unusual findings of connective tissue banded structures and basement membrane branching were demonstrated.