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Figure 3 | Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

Figure 3

From: Small cell osteosarcoma of a toe phalanx: a case report and review of literature

Figure 3

The histological specimens show typical characteristics of a small cell osteosarcoma. A. The cartilaginous surface of the proximal phalanx of the third toe at the side the metatarso-phalangeal joint. A vast field of purple tumor cells underneath the cartilage, without infiltration of the cartilage. There are atypical small cells which lie in a compact fashion. (HE staining, 1,25× objective) B. A cross section of the outer cortex of the proximal phalanx. The tumor comprises fields of many small purple cells. The cortex is disrupted totally by the atypical cells. The tumor is situated in and around the cortex of the phalanx. The cells infiltrate the surrounding soft tissue, where there is osteoid formation by the tumor cells. This feature defines this tumor as being an osteosarcoma. The osteoid formation was in a lamellar fasion. Within the formed osteoid the same atypical cells are present. (HE staining, 1,25× objective) C. A close up of the tumor cells. It shows typical small and anaplastic, poorly differentiated cells with dark, hyperchromatic nuclei and very little cytoplasm. (HE staining, 63× objective)

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