Histopathology of pheochromocytoma

Adrenal and Extra-Adrenal Pheochromocytomas: An Ultrastructural and Formaldehyde- Induced Fluorescence Study with Catecholamine Content

“…The characteristic histomorphology of normal and neoplastic adrenal medullas, described originally by Sherwin (1959), has been overshadowed in recent years by overemphasis of the chromatin reaction. In his original article, he recognized three types of cells based on light microscopic features ; clear cells, basophils and oncocytes.…”

“…We recognized a dark cell variant in addition to these three types of cells. Sherwin (1959) did not comment on the relation between histological cell types and CA content of tumors. We classified pheochromocytoma into three types based on light and electron microscopic and FIF findings ; basophilic, chromophobic and oxyphilic types.…”

Malignant Extra-adrenal Phaeochromocytoma

“…37,No. 444 Lars R. Holsti differentiation between malignant and benign types by histologic means is exceedingly difficult (Symington and Goodhall, 1953;Sherwin, 1959). The existence of local invasive growth or the presence of metastases at sites where chromaffin tissue does not normally exist, must be regarded as the only reliable criterion for malignancy (Brines and Jennings, 1948;Spatt and Grayzel, 1948;Ransom et al, 1958;Bartels, 1959;Palmieri et al, 1961) According to the strictest criteria, only hormone-secreting metastases are accepted for the diagnosis of malignant phaeochromocytoma (Davis, Peart and van't Hof, 1955;Evans, 1963).…”

Review of the Critical Findings Contained Within DHHS Publication No. NIH 80-1749: Bioassay of Reserpine for Possible Carcinogenicity

“…The criteria stated in the NCI report for the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma is not acceptable in human or veterinary pathology in that no evidence was presented to indicate that these proliferative entities had penetrated the adrenal connective tissue capsule or that metastasis to extra adrenal sites had occurred. The latter two criteria are essential for a valid diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma, in addition to the establishment of the presence of catecholamines (1,2,4,10,12,14,15,19,22,24). Thus the diagnoses of pheochromocytoma were based on convenience rather than scientific fact.…”

“…The results, conclusions and interpretations emanating from the NCI report were contested before the Data Evaluation/Risk Assessment Subgroup of the Clearinghouse on Environmental Carcinogens on May 1, 1979, and.February 15, 1980, and the Cardio-Renal Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration on June 22 and November 19,1979. In addition, during the summer and fall of 1979 two teams of independent pathology consultants reviewed the histopathology slides of the controversial tumors from the rat adrenal glands and mouse mammary glands and seminal vesicles.…”