子宮頸部前癌病変および癌の走査型電子顕微鏡的観察

抄録

Scanning electron microscopic observations were performed to study the ultrastructure of the surface of precancerous lesions and invasive cancers of the uterine cervix.Specimens were collected from patients who visited the Gynecologic Cancer Clinic of Keio University Hospital.
1.Normal squamous epithelium: Thin polygonal cells were arranged regularly in the shape of pavement and the nuclear excrescences were observed in the center of the cells.Numerous, short and irregular villous processes were seen on the surface, and irregular runs of small grooves on the back side of the cells.The surface of the underlying cells was covered by a network of cytoplasmic microridges.
2.Metaplastic epithelium: It was composed of round to elipsoid shaped cells varying slightly in size.The surface was covered by short, rounded, villiform proje ctions.The intercellular spaces were dilated, and well developed intercellular bridges noted.
3.Dysplasia: Cells with increased nucleocytoplasmic ratio were arranged irregularly and the overlapping of cells was noted.The villiform projections of most cells were shorter, and had rounded tips, as compared with those of normal squamous epithelium.
4.Carcinoma in situ: Relatively uniform and round cells were packed together, exhibiting a somewhat monotonous picture.However, the arrangement of the cells was irregular, and the overlapping of the cells was apparent.The microvilli on the surface of the cells were much shorter in size and rounder in shape, and were almost granular.
5.Early invasive carcinoma: It was mainly composed of round cells as seen in carcinoma in situ, but mixed with those cells were differentiated malignant cells having slender cytoplasmic processes.
6.Invasive carcinoma: Cells of markedly irregular sizes and irregular shapes were seen overlapping in the way of house tiles.Various kinds of bizarreshaped cells were observed on the surface of the tumor. The surface of most cells was rather granular.