Electron Microscopy in Head and Neck Oncology

Abstract

A systematic investigation of tumours of the ear, nose and throat has been carried out, with particular attention to tumours arising from the squa-mous epithelium, salivary glands, glomus jugulare, neurogenic tumours, muscle tumours, granular cell myoblastoma, malignant lymphoma. Some of their main ultrastructural features were described and summarized. Surface cellular changes and changes in ker-atinization and alteration of the basal membrane were noted in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and oesophagus. Amorphous granules characterize the granular cells of granular cell myoblastoma. An incidental finding of this tumour in the trachea, associated with carcinoma of the larynx, is described. Striated myoblasts or filamentous myoblasts were found to be of assistance in the differential diagnosis of anaplastic sarcoma. Virus particles were found in a case of malignant lymphoma of the tonsil. The age of miracles in electron microscopy has come—and gone. We do not expect that electron microscopy, or a similar spectacular new method, might solve, and solve easily, without any effort, the mystery of malignant change of the cell. We have reached a period of rational hopes, based upon intelligent cooperation and the systematic study of surgical material; with electron microscopy stimulaiing our curiosity and assisting in the more accurate classification and/or diagnosis, as a potent ally of light microscopy.