A Malignant, Melanotic Neoplasm of the Uterus, Resembling the “Retinal Anlage” Tumors: Report of a Case

Abstract

This paper deals with the description of a malignant, pigmented tumor that originated in the uterus of a 69-year-old white woman. The pigment was identified histo-chemically as melanin. Several features suggest that the neoplasm is a type of malignant mixed tumor (mixed mesodermal tumor), except that the chief histologic component consisted of irregular spaces that were lined by large, cuboidal, melanin-containing cells. The resemblance of this pattern to that of the so-called retinal anlage tumors is noted, and the inadequacy of the theory of origin of such neoplasms from the retinal anlage is discussed.