Cellular differentiations and structural characteristics in nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. An electron-microscopic study.

An electron-microscopic study of 9 nasopharyngeal angiofibromas was performed in order to elucidate the ultrastructural characteristics. Stromal fibroblasts and proliferating cells of the microvasculature were found. The stromal fibroblasts were subdivided into 3 different groups: (1) "classical" fibroblasts, (2) fibroblasts with histiocytelike features, and (3) fibroblasts with myoid features. By proliferation the cells of the capillary vessels change into stromal cells. A particular pattern of nuclei and dense intranuclear granules is only found in stromal fibroblasts. Consequently fibroblasts as well as cells of the microvasculature contribute to the pool of tumor cells.