Histochemical features of C-cell thyroid carcinoma.

Six cases of C-cell carcinoma of thyroid gland were studied applying histologic and histochemical methods as well as electron microscopy technique. A histologic feature of the carcinoma pattern was the diversity of pictures. Amyloid was commonly found in the carcinoma stroma. In some cells glycogen was present. Histochemically the carcinoma cells were marked by a strong activity of oxidative enzymes (GDH, SDH, LDH and MAO) as well as hydrolitic one (G-6-P and non specific enterases). Serotonin was found in two cases. An ultrastructural feature of carcinoma cells was the presence of cytoplasmic electron-dense, specific "endocrine type" secretory granules.