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Chordoma - Morphology: Conventional chordoma has a lobular growth pattern with thin fibrous septa dividing the lobules. The lobules are composed of large epithelioid or vacuolated cells arranged in cohesive clusters, nests, or cords in a background of abundant basophilic myxoid matrix.
The nuclei are hyperchromatic and may contain small nucleoli and pseudoinclusions. The neoplastic cells have abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and many cells contain prominent intracytoplasmic vacuoles that impart a soap bubble appearance (physaliphorous cells). Physaliphorous cells are not pathognomonic of chordomas and may be absent. Some tumor cells contain single prominent intracytoplasmic vacuole and resemble adipocytes. Mitotic activity is not increased.
The nuclei are hyperchromatic and may contain small nucleoli and pseudoinclusions. The neoplastic cells have abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and many cells contain prominent intracytoplasmic vacuoles that impart a soap bubble appearance (physaliphorous cells). Physaliphorous cells are not pathognomonic of chordomas and may be absent. Some tumor cells contain single prominent intracytoplasmic vacuole and resemble adipocytes. Mitotic activity is not increased.