Argyrophil cells in adenomas of familial polyposis coli.

The presence of argyrophil cell was demonstrated in the adenomas of familial polyposis coli (FPC) with the Sevier-Munger method. Usually, argyrophil cells were distributed sparsely near the base of the crypts, rather close to the normal mucosa. But, adenomas with severe or moderate dysplasia did not contain argyrophil cells. The frequency of argyrophil cells in the adenoma was remarkably higher in the sigmoid than in the ascending colon. Because this phenomenon was found both in the non-adenomatous mucosal crypts of FPC and of normal control cases, it is conceivable that the appearance of the argyrophil cells in the adenomas of FPC is affected by the structural arrangement of the original non-tumorous mucosa, as a background. Furthermore, a tendency, that many argyrophil cells were located within the adenomas, was observed in one of the seven families examined. It showed that the argyrophil cell which is thought to be one of the elements constituting the adenoma might actively participate in the growth of the adenoma.