Preliminary Observations on the Histochemistry of the Cell Surface of Carcinoma of the Cervix

Abstract

Histochemical studies on the cell surface and intercellular matrix of normal cervical epithelium, and squamous cell carcinomata have shown the mucosubstances present may be symbolized by the descriptive formula: C(G) mucosubstance; B 3.5; A 2.5 (0.6m MgCl 2 ); T; S. This indicates that sulphate groups are absent and that the intercellular matrix and cell coat are rich in hyaluronic and sialic acids or closely related compounds. These may be important in masking the antigenic expression of the tumour cells. We have not been able to detect any alteration in the mucosubstances at 7 days following radium treatment. Images Figs. 1-3