EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY ON ULTRASTRUCTURE OF ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS-CELLCARCINOMA

Seven oesophageal squamous carcinomas, treated with pre-operative chem otherapy (mitomycin-C, ifosfamide and cisplatin-MTC), with a course fi nishing 21 days prior to resection, were examined by electronmicroscop y. In one treated case detailed light microscopy failed to reveal any tumour. Five of the remaining six tumours showed cytotoxic damage in t hat apoptosis and-unusual necrotic changes were observed in almost all the neoplastic cells. These features were not seen in untreated cases . In four additional cases, who received one pulse of MIC followed by biopsy or resection within 3-6 days, apoptotic changes were very prono unced and extensive and most neoplastic cells presented unusual degene ration with characteristic derangement of the cytoskeleton, destructio n of organelles and accumulation of glycogen. The ultrastructural appe arance of 18 untreated resected oesophageal squamous carcinomas was st udied for comparison with the treated tumours. The study has demonstra ted ultrastructural changes resulting from chemotherapy. Results sugge st that the regimen is more effective against squamous carcinomas than against adenocarcinomas of the oesophagus, as judged by comparison wi th the results of a previous study.