Ultrastructure of an Ovarian Dysgerminoma: Report of a Case Featuring Neurosecretory-tyjae Granules in Stromal Cells

Abstract

The ultrastructure of an ovarian dysgerminoma in a 20-year-old woman was studied. Two types of cells were seen: a characteristic principal tumor cell of germ cell type with prominent nucleoli exhibiting an elaborate filamentous nucleonema, and a stromal cell. The latter lacked features of the principal tumor cell but often contained membrane-bounci granules of neurosecretory type. The significance of these granules is unknown, but they may be related to steroid hormone production in occasional cases of functioning germinal tumors of the ovary.