Call-Exner bodies in a bovine granulosa cell tumor
Keywords: granulosa, tumor, neoplasia, Call-Exner, histology
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Some granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) in cattle can be cystic or polycystic with granulosa cells lining the cysts while others, such as this one, are solid with solid types probably in the majority. As the tumor outgrows its blood supply, areas of necrosis and hemorrhage may occur. Histologically, the neoplastic cells may be in trabecular, diffuse or follicular patterns. As shown in this case, more than one of these patterns may be present in a single tumor (diffuse above and trabecular below). Mitotic figures were not seen (not obvious) in this specimen.
Call-Exner bodies consist of an irregular ring of granulosa cells around a central cavity filled with fluid that stains positively for glycosaminoglycans. They are common in GCTs but they are not pathognomonic for these tumors. They can also be seen in Graafian follicle as well. Two Call-Exner bodies are obvious at lower left in the image below:
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Note the Call-Exner bodies in the upper image.
