MELANOTIC PARAGANGLIOID CARCINOID-TUMOR - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

An unusual case of peripheral melanotic paraganglioid carcinoid tumor of the lung is described. By light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic examination, melanocytic, schwannian, and neuroepithelial lines of differentiation were evident. This case may represent another example of neoplastic multidirectional differentiation and highlights the close relationship among the genes represented in these three cell lines. In addition, these findings support the concept of a neoplastic origin for the sustentacular cells found in some bronchial carcinoid tumors.