SPINDLE-CELL SARCOMATA. 



157 



Fjg. 50. 



cesses; exceptionally however, we find three or more, giving the 

 cell a stellate character ( Virchoiv). 



In typical examples of spindle-cell sarcomata the cells unite 

 to form bands of considerable size, leaflets, and fasciculi. These 

 may radiate in straight lines in every direction from a common 

 base (radiating sarcoma, foliated sarcoma) ; or they may be 

 elaborately interwoven with one another (trabecular sarcoma). 

 These tumours may grow to a very considerable size without 

 undergoing any farther modification of structure or composition. 

 The enormous o-rowth of the cells is in some measure vicarious 

 for the due production of fibrous intercellular substance ; and if 

 we are disposed to agree with Mtuc SchuUze in viewing the latter 

 as simply metamorphosed protoplasm, this would be a case in 

 Avhich building materials had been generated in profusion, but 

 not used. 



The large-celled spindle-cell sarcomata start from fascia and 

 membranes, seldom from the inter- 

 stitial tissue of Mandular orojans. Their 

 malignity is restricted in degree ; they 

 xQYj seldom recur after timely cxtir- 

 ])ation. Of course they must be care- 

 fully distinguished from cancers and 

 medullary sarcomata with a radial 

 structure. 



The only ^■ariety of the large- 

 celled spindle-cell sarcoma is a tumour 

 Avhich is met with in the skin of the 

 cheek ; it is essentially a combina- 

 tion of the round-cell with the spindle- 

 cell type. Broad, fibrous bands of 

 spindle-shaped cells diverge from one 

 or more centres ; the intervals between 

 them are occupied by the round-cell 

 tissue. This arrangement is repre- 

 sented in fig. 50. AVe see the colossal spindle-cells, with their 

 long bodies and yet longer processes, enclosing long meshes in 

 which the round-cells are embedded. 



VI. 21ie pigmentary or melanotic sarcoma (s. melanodes), 

 starts most commonly from the choroid coat of the eye ; 

 next in order of frequency from the skin ; both parts, in which 



Large-celled sarcoma. A 

 place in which parallel 

 rows of colossal spindle- 

 cells are mingled with 

 round-cells. a. Eonnd- 

 cells; ?^ Vessel, ^^n- 



