Intestinal metaplasia and histogenesis of carcinoma in human stomach. Light and electron microscopic study

Abstract

Mucosal changes and carcinoma cells from 60 cancerous and 86 benign stomachs were studied by light and electron microscopes. In addition to the fully developed metaplastic glands, lesser degrees of metaplasia and cells with mixed characteristics of normal foveolar and metaplastic cells in a single gland were observed, indicating a similar cellular origin. Similar lines of differentiation were also noted in cases showing anaplasia and malignancy involving both metaplastic and non-metaplastic cells. Most tumor cells, however, showed increased numbers of well-developed microvilli and large pale mucin granules seen in benign metaplasia.