Mast Cells and Tumours

Abstract

Already in 1891, Westphal, a pupil of Paul Ehrlich, observed an accumulation of MCs in the connective tissue of various tumours in humans (Westphal 1891). This predilection of MCs was repeatedly confirmed by various authors (Unna 1896; Fromme 1906; Bonney 1908; Weill 1919; Staemmler 1921; Higuchi 1930; Quensel 1933; Michels 1938; Sylvèn 1940; Bali and Furth 1949). Accordingly to Sylvèn (1940) the process of tumour invasion is preceded by the conversion of the adjacent normal connective tissue into a gelatinous matrix rendered metachromatic by the release of granular material from tissue MCs. In slowly growing mesenchymal tumours the preliminary process of digestion of the normal tissue so far outstrips the subsequent utilization of this ‘free chromotrope substance’. That the tumour is seen to be surrounded by a vidid band of diffuse metachromasia, whereas in more anaplastic growths the metachromatic zone is consumed as fast as it is formed.