Journal
VIRCHOWS ARCHIV
Volume 444, Issue 3, Pages 231-234Publisher
SPRINGER-VERLAG
DOI: 10.1007/s00428-003-0965-1
Keywords
fibrocytes; myofibroblast; larynx; pharynx; invasive squamous cell carcinoma
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We investigated tumor-free mucosa and squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, the pharynx, and larynx with respect to the presence of stromal CD34(+) fibrocytes and alpha-smooth muscle antigen (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. Additionally, stromal expression of CD117 was analyzed. A total of 39 squamous cell carcinomas were assessed immunohistochemically. In all cases investigated, CD34(+) fibrocytes were found in the tumor-free stroma, whereas alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts were lacking. Areas of lymphocytic infiltration disclosed a focal reduction of CD34(+) fibrocytes. CD117 expression was absent from the tumor-free stroma. Of 39 squamous cell carcinomas, 33 were free of stromal CD34(+) fibrocytes, and, in 31 carcinomas, stromal alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts occurred at least focally. CD117-positive stromal spindle cells were found in 25 carcinomas. Compared with tumor-free mucosa, the number of tissue mast cells was significantly increased in carcinomas. We conclude that stromal remodeling induced by invasive carcinomas is characterized by a loss of CD34(+) fibrocytes and subsequent gain of alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts. The diagnostic impact of this finding is, however, limited by the fact that chronic inflammation may also be accompanied by a focal loss of CD34(+) fibrocytes.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available