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Polypeptide hormone production by “Carcinoid” apudomas and their relevant cytochemistry

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Virchows Archiv B

Summary

An original series of 62 endocrine tumours was reduced to 46 which could be regarded, on morphological grounds, as carcinoids or carcinoid-islet cell tumours. In sixteen of the 46 we were unable to demonstrate the presence of any hormonal peptide but the remainder comprised 10 gastrinomas, 6 insulinomas, 5 calcitoninomas, 4 corticotrophinomas, 1 vipoma and 4 tumours producing more than one hormone.

By cytochemical and ultrastructural criteria all 46 tumours possessed the characteristic properties of the cells of the APUD series. They were therefore classified as apudomas (endocrine neurolophomas) arising from stem cells having a common origin in the neuroectodermal cells of the neural crest.

We recommend a reappraisal of the morphological criteria for diagnosis of carcinoids and its replacement by a functional one which compels awareness of their true potential or actual nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histochemistry, R.P.M.S., Hammersmith Hospital, London, England

    A. G. E. Pearse, Julia M. Polak & Catherine M. Heath

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  1. A. G. E. Pearse
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  2. Julia M. Polak
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  3. Catherine M. Heath
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Pearse, A.G.E., Polak, J.M. & Heath, C.M. Polypeptide hormone production by “Carcinoid” apudomas and their relevant cytochemistry. Virchows Arch B Cell Pathol 16, 95–109 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02894068

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