[Argyrophil cell cancers of the stomach and intestines].

Among 2400 malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, in 12 tumors (11 gastric and 1 jejunal) having the structure of solid cancer, argyrophil cells constituted the basis of the tumor tissue. Argyrophil cell carcinomas were frequently of the saucer-like shape, their microscopic picture combined the features of intestinal carcinoids and oat-cell carcinomas of the lungs. In addition to cytoplasmic secretory granules best detectable by the method of Grimelius, 7 tumors showed signs of mucus formation. Argyrophil cell carcinomas appear to be poorly differentiated variants of the gastrointestinal tract apudomas.