Ultrastructure of clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. Case report and review of the literature.

The fine structure of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma in a 65 year old woman was analysed. The tumor cells were of both clear and "hobnail" types. Both were characterized by the presence of short microvilli, abundant glycogen granules, a well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, scanty lysosomes and very few lipid bodies. The tubules and gland-like spaces were always separated from the stroma by a basement membrane. At ultrastructural level the tumor cells do not resemble at all those of cleaar cell renal carcinomas. On the other hand, their submicroscopic features are strongly similar to those of the clear cell tumors found elsewhere in the female genital tract, emphasizing therewith their very probable müllerian origin. It is recommended to eliminate the term "mesonephroma ovarii" to designate the clear cell carcinomas of the ovary.