Balica N, Raica M, Cotulbea S, Doros C
ENT Department, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania.
Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2007;48(4):395-401.
Mast cells are normal connective tissue residents. Their densities vary from an organ to other, but are constantly well represented in respiratory tract. Mast cell hyperplasia was found in many malignant tumors, but the significance of this phenomenon is still unknown. In the literature, there are few data about mast cell reaction in malignant laryngeal neoplasm.
We studied archive blocks from 127 laryngeal carcinomas. For histological diagnosis two sections were prepared for Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and Alcian blue-Safranin histochemistry at pH 0.2 for identifying mast cells. Examination has been performed with Nikon Eclipse 600 microscope. Microscopic images were analyzed with Lucia G program. Microvessel density was calculated using the hot spot method.
Most of the cases were squamous cell carcinoma G1 - 24.4%, G2 - 56.69%, G3 - 18.11%, and 0.78% adenoid cystic carcinoma. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma mast cell microdensity was 2.19 and 4.66 in microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. Mast cell microdensity in malignant laryngeal papillomatosis was 9.33 and 46.66 in adenoid cystic carcinoma. In carcinoma-associated mast cell hyperplasia, the large majority of mast cells were Alcian blue positive.
In early stages, the mast cells are numerous (microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma mast cell microdensity 4.66) and rare or even absent in late stages (invasive squamous cell carcinoma mast cell microdensity 2.19). Mast cell microdensity in malignant laryngeal papillomatosis was 9.33 and 46.66 in cystic carcinoma. Alcianophil mast cells are present in tumor area, and safraninophil mast cells are residents of connective and muscular tissue, at a distance from the tumor.
