Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastrukturelle Differenzierung der Phäochromocytome

Ultrastructural differentiation of pheochromocytoma

  • Published:
Virchows Archiv A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Six surgically removed pheochromocytomas were examined by electron microscopy.

Despite the variety of cell types, five of the tumors were classed as noradrenalin-adrenalin-secreting on the basis of overall structure. Only one of the six tumors, through clinical investigation, was classified as essentially noradrenalin-secreting. Some cells of this tumor displayed the characteristics of neuronal elements.

In all six tumors examined the main tumor cells contained a nearly constant number of osmiophilic granula. In some cells of one of the noradrenalin-adrenalin-secreting tumors these granula were all about the same size and had a limited range of light and dark contrast. In the cells of the other tumors, however, the size and contrast of the granula varied. Because of this variation, it was impossible to differentiate between secreting and non-secreting cells or to classify them into synthesizing and storage cells. The difference between light and dark cells is due, not to the presence of osmiophilic granula, but to differences in the density of the basic substance.

Zusammenfassung

6 operativ entfernte Phäochromocytome werden elektronenmikro-skopisch untersucht. 5 davon lassen sich trotz verschiedener Anteile unterschiedlicher Zelltypen in ihrem Aufbau als einheitliche Gruppe einordnen. Im 6. Tumor, dem einzigen, der praktisch nur Noradrenalin ausgeschieden hat, zeigt ein Teil der Tumorzellen Merkmale neuronaler Zellelemente. Die Haupttumorzellen aller 6 Fälle gemeinsam werden durch ihre innerhalb bestimmter Variationsbreiten konstanten Zahl phäochromer Granula gekennzeichnet. In einem Fall zeigten die phäochromen Granula in den einzelnen Zellen eine bestimmte Größe und einen bestimmten Kontrastreichtum. Die Haupttumorzellen in den übrigen Fällen zeigen alle möglichen Variationen der phäochromen Granula in ein- und demselben Zellelement. Die Vermischung der verschiedenen Typen phäochromer Granula macht eine Unterscheidung von Zellen nach ihrem Sekretionstyp unmöglich. Auch eine Unterscheidung zwischen speichernden Zellen konnte nicht festgestellt werden. Die auffallenden Unterschiede zwischen hellen und dunklen Zellen sind auf die verschiedene Dichte des Grundplasmas und nicht auf die phäochromen Granula zurückzuführen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literatur

  • Bachmann, R.: Die Nebenniere. In: Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen, Bd. VI, Teil 5. Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer 1954

    Google Scholar 

  • Bässler, R., Habighorst, L. V.: Vergleichende licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Nebennierenmark und Phäochromocytom. Beitr. path. Anat. 130, 446–488 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Belt, A. E., Powell, T. O.: Clinical manifestations of the chromaffin cell tumors arising from the suprarenal medulla. Surg., Gynec. Obstet. 59, 9–24 (1934)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedeczky, I.: Ultrastructural analysis of adrenaline resynthesis following insulin treatment. Acta morph. hung. Acta. Sci. 15, 23–37 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedeczky, I., Lapis, K.: Vergleichende elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Nebennierenmark und Phäochromocytom des Menschen. Electron Microscopy of human adrenal medulla and pheochromocytoma. Beitr. path. Anat. 137, 403–438 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedeczky, I., Puppi, A., Tigyi, A., Lissak, K.: Various cell types of the adrenal medulla. Nature (Lond.) 204, 591–592 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedczky, I., Puppi, A., Tigyi, A., Lissak, K.: Various cell types in the adrenal medulla. Nature (Lond.) 209, 592–594 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, H. S.: Cytological manifestation of secretion in the adrenal medulla of the cat. Amer. J. Anat. 69/3, 333–381 (1941)

    Google Scholar 

  • Blacklock, J. W. S., Ferguson, J. W., Mack, W. S., Shafar, J., Symington, T.: Phaeochromocytoma. Brit. J. Surg. 35, 179–197 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bretschneider, H. J., Schattenfroh, C., Schoebb, J. O.: Clinical aspects and morphology of different pheochromocytoma types. Langenbecks Arch. klin. Chir. 299, 665–692 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, W. J., Barajas, L., Latta, H.: The ultrastructure of the human adrenal medulla: with comparative studies of white rat. Anat. Rec. 169, 173–184 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, W. J., Barajas, L., Waisman, J., de Quattro, V.: Ultrastructural and biochemical correlates of adrenal extraadrenal pheochromocytoma. Cancer (Philad.) 29, 744–759 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucciante, G., Meneghelli, V.: Sulla struttura del feocromocitoma analizzata al microscopio elettronico. Acta med patav. 24, 653 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavallero, C.: I Simp. con discussione a tavola rotonda. Il Feocromocitoma. Chir. triven. 4, 115 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cervós-Navarro, J., Vazquez, J. J.: An electron microscopic study of meningiomas. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 13, 301–323 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Coupland, R. E.: Electron microscopic observations on the structure of the rat adrenal medulla. I. The ultrastructure and organization of chromaffin cells in the normal adrenal medulla. J. Anat. (Lond.) 99, 231–254 (1965a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Coupland, R. E., Hopwood, D.: Mechanism of a histochemical reaction differentiating between adrenaline and noradrenaline-storing cells in the electron microscope. Nature (Lond.) 209, 590–591 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Coupland, R. E., Pyper, A. S., Hopwood, D.: A method for differentiating between noradrenaline- and adrenaline-storing cells in the light- and electron microscope. Nature (Lond.) 201, 1240–1242 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crout, J. R., Sjoerdsma, A.: Turnover and metabolism of catecholamines in patients with pheochromocytoma. J. clin. Invest. 43, 94–102 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushing, H., Burt, W. S.: The transformation of a malignant paravertebral sympathicoblastoma into a benign ganglioneuroma. Amer. J. Path. 3, 203 (1927)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, A., Siegmund, H.: Die Nebenniere und das chromaffine System (Paraganglien, Steißdrüse, Karotisdrüse). In: Handbuch der speziellen pathol. Anatomie und Histologie, Bd. 8, S. 951–1089. Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer 1926

    Google Scholar 

  • Elfvin, L. G.: The fine structure of the cell surface of chromaffin cells in the rat adrenal medulla. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 263–286 (1965a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, J.: Neoplastic diseases: a treatise on tumors, ed. 4, p. 839–840. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co. 1940

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasser, G., Kühböck, J., Obiditsch-Mayer, I.: Pheochromocytoma under the clinical picture of chronic hypertension. Wien Z. Iun. Med. 46, 217–225 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goormaghtigh, N.: Surrénales et thermorégulation. Tests morphologiques d'activité médullosurrénale. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 41, 109–142 (1931)

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, R., Rosenthal, I., Falk, G. S.: Electron microscopy of human tumors secreting catecholamines: correlation with biochemical data. J. Neuropath. exp. Neurol. 28, 475–500 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gusek, W., Fock, M.: Ultrastruktur hormondifferenter Phäochromocytome. Acta endocr. (Kbh.), Suppl. 159, 84 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Herxheimer, G.: Über Tumoren des Nebennierenmarkes, insbesondere das Neuroblastoma sympathicum. Beitr. path. Anat. 57, 112 (1913)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hion, J. V.: Zur Histologie der Nebennieren bei erschöpften Tieren. Fol. neuropath. eston. 7, 178–189 (1927)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleinschmidt, A., Schümann, H. J.: Strukturuntersuchungen über die Adrenalin und Noradrenalin speichernden Granula des Nebennierenmarks. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 241, 260 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laumonier, R., Marche, Cl., Marche, J.: Etude ultrastructurale d'un phaeochromocytome. Ann. Anat. path. 13, 137–146 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever, J. D.: Electron microscopic observations on the normal and denervated adrenal medulla of the rat. Endocrinology 57, 621–635 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luse, S.: Ultrastructural characteristics of normal and neoplastic cells. Progr. exp. Tumor Res. (Basel) 2, 1–35 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Misugi, K., Misugi, N., Newton, W.A. Jr.: Fine structural study of neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and pheochromocytoma. Arch. Path. 86, 160–170 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moppert, J.: Zur Ultrastruktur der phaeochromen Zellen im Nebennierenmark der Ratte. Z. Zellforsch. 74, 32–44 (1966a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morini, P.L., Fazzini, G.: Considerazioni sugli aspetti umorali, citochimici ed ultrastrutturali di un caso di feocromocitoma. Folia endocr. (Roma) 21, No 3 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, L.B., Jacobi, G.A.: Catecholamine metabolism and storage granules in pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 43, 379–386 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ratzenhofer, M., Auböck, L.: Zur Kenntnis vom Feinbau und Sekretionsmechanismus der Phäochromocytome. On Ultrastructure and secretion of pheochromocytoma. Beitr. path. Anat. 137, 36–64 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, I.M., Greenberg, R., Goldstein, R., Kathan, R., Cadkin, L.: Catecholamine metabolism in a pheochromocytoma. Correlation with electron micrographs. Amer. J. Dis. Child. 112, 389–395 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherwin, R.P.: Histopathology of pheochromocytoma. Cancer (Philad.) 12, 861–877 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherwin, R.P.: New aspects of the chromoreactions for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Amer. J. clin. Path. 43, 200–206 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherwin, R.P.: The adrenal medulla, paraganglia and related tissues. In: Endocrine pathology, J.M.B. Bloodworth Jr., ed., Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, J.W., Baglio, C.M.: Electron microscopy of the cytoplasm of parenchymal liver cells Naphthylisothiocyanate—induced cirrhosis. Lab. Invest. 12, 765 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, J.W., Carruthers, J.S., Kalifat, S.R.: Observations on the fine structure of rat liver cells in extrahepatic cholestasis. Z. Zellforsch. 58, 141 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoenes, W., Bannasch, P.: Elektronen- und lichtmikrokopische Untersuchungen am Cytoplasma der Leberzellen nach akuter und chronischer Thiocetamid-Vergiftung. Virchows Arch. path. Anat. 335, 556 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahl, H.R., Craig, P.E.: Multiple tumors of the sympathetic nervous system. Report of a case showing a distinct ganglioneuroma, a neuroblastoma and a cystic calcifying ganglioneuroblastoma. Amer. J. Path. 14, 797 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wassermann, G., Tramezzani, J.H.: Separate distribution of adrenaline-and noradrenaline-secreting cells in the adrenal of snakes. Gen. comp. Endocr. 3, 480–489 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J.G., Barrnett, J.R.: Histochemical demonstration of norepinephrine at a fine structural level. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 12, 197–209 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, R.D., Wood, J.G., Duncan, D.: Phase and electron microscopic observations on two cell types in the adrenal medulla of the syrian hamster. Tex. Rep. Biol. Med. 20, 494–502 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama, M.: An electron microscopic study of the human adrenal medulla and pheochromocytoma. J. Urol. Soc. Japan 57, 1095–1121 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yokoyama, M., Takayasu, H.: An electron microscopic study of the human adrenal medulla and pheochromocytoma. Urol. int. (Basel) 24, 79–95 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Neuropathologie der Freien Universität Berlin, Germany

    J. Cervós-Navarro, J. M. Bayer & H. Käser

  2. Chirurgische Klinik der Universität Bonn, Germany

    J. Cervós-Navarro, J. M. Bayer & H. Käser

  3. Stoffwechsel-Abteilung der Schweizerischen Zentrale für klinische Tumorforschung, Switzerland

    J. Cervós-Navarro, J. M. Bayer & H. Käser

Authors
  1. J. Cervós-Navarro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. M. Bayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Käser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cervós-Navarro, J., Bayer, J.M. & Käser, H. Ultrastrukturelle Differenzierung der Phäochromocytome. Virchows Arch. Abt. A Path. Anat. 361, 51–69 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00543550

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00543550

Search

Navigation