Abstract
The high resolution provided by electron microscopy can contribute to histomorphological diagnosis by allowing the detection of structures which are invisible to the light microscope. These structures include characteristic nuclear or cytoplasmic contours, intercellular attachments and intracellular components. The recognition of such features may allow specific diagnosis in lesions which cannot be precisely categorized by light microscopy. Electron microscopy is particularly useful for the diagnosis of neoplasms. This review describes some of the characteristic morphological features which can be demonstrated in neoplastic cells by electron microscopy and briefly considers several areas where the technique is of special value. Electron microscopy is now an integral part of the diagnostic process in surgical pathology and can be regarded as a routine technique rather than a special procedure to be delegated to others.
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