512 TllL {JllEiUSTRY OF TLMORH 



son for the reputed unavailability of lipoma fat for the metabolism 

 of the host could be fouud.--' 



{d) Ovarian cyst contents have been studied more than almost 

 any other tumor products, because in their gelatinous or slimy sub- 

 stance are contained numerous interesting forms of proteins, many 

 of which are combined with carbohydrates and related to the true 

 miucins. These substances are frequently referred to under the names 

 of pseudomucin, paralbumin, metalbiimin, and ovarian ''colloid," and 

 belong to the class of '^ mucoids." ^^ In view of the fact that the flu- 

 ids in the Graafian follicles of the ovary do not contain these particu- 

 lar forms of protein, their presence in cj^sts derived from adventitious 

 structures (Pfliiger's epithelial tubes) suggests a specific form of 

 metabolism on the part of the epithelium of these structures. 



Serous cysts, formed by dilation of Graafian follicles, usually are 

 small in size, and the contents resemble those of the normal follicles 

 (Oerum),^^ consisting of a serous fluid with a specific gravity usually 

 from 1.005 to 1.014 (occasionally 1.020 or more), and containing 

 1.0-4.0 per cent, of solids. Occasionally in these cysts the contents 

 become solidified through absorption of the water, and a gelatinous or 

 glue-like "colloid" content results. Mucoids are never present (Pfan- 

 nenstiel)."- 



Proliferating cystomas contain the peculiar characteristic mucoid 

 proteins mentioned above. Usually the contents are fluid, but of a 

 peculiar slimy, stringy character, due to the mucoid substance, and 

 often opalescent or slightly turbid. The specific gravity is generally 

 high — 1.015-1.030. The reaction is usually slightly alkaline to lit- 

 mus, and neutral or slightly acid to phenolphthalein. If hemorrhage 

 has occurred into them, the fluid is discolored, and may contain blood- 

 pigments in ciystalline and amorphous forms. Small cysts often 

 show a condensation of the proteins into a semisolid "colloid" ma- 

 terial, but sometimes their contents resemble those of a serous cyst. 

 Often masses of proteins fall out of solution, forming yellowish floc- 

 culi or large deposits half filling the cysts. As with all stagnant flu- 

 ids of this type, cholesterol crystals are frequently found. The char- 

 acteristic proteins are members of the class of pseudomucins, which 

 are constantly present (Oerum). 



2» III xanthoma tuhvrosum multiplex, wliicli shows local deposits composed 

 largely of cholesterol esters and contains also ]>igment with tlie properties of a 

 lipochrome, the jjresence of hvper-choiesterolemia is dis])uted. ( lvosenl)looni. 

 Arch. Int. Med., IDl.S (12), .Siif) ; Scliniidt, Dermatol. Zeit.. 1!)14 (21), 1:57). 

 Edsall fonnd the comijosition of tlie fat in the fatty txmiors of adipoNis dolorosa 

 but little different from tliat of normal fat. ( (,)uo{ed hv Dercum and ?ilc('arthy, 

 Amer. Jour. Med. 8ci., 1!)02 (124), 994.) 



30 Concernin{^ mucoids see Mann's "Chemistry oi the Proteins," llHttl. iiji. 541- 

 551. 



31 See Malv's Jahresbericht. 1884 (14), 4.59. 



32 Arch. f. Viyna-k., 1890 (.•?S),407 (literature). 



