"Are You Afraid Of Monster Cells?" - Seminal Vesicle

Seminal vesicle

• Tall columnar epithelial cell lining with a layer of basal cells.
• Presence of golden brown refractile granules in the cytoplasm - LIPOFUSCIN.
• Lipofuscin - Also found in the ampulla of vas deferens and prostatic portion of ejaculatory ducts.

Important and an unusual feature: Presence of MONSTER CELLS - Cells with enlarged, hyperchromatic, irregularly shaped nuclei.

• Do not interpret these cells as malignant cells!!!
• May also be seen in the ampulla of vas deferens.

In figure, arrow points to the pigment; circle points to the MONSTER CELLS.

Arrow - MONSTER CELLS.

It is important to recognise seminal vesicle epithelium for two reasons:

1. Infiltration of seminal vesicle epithelium by prostatic carcinoma (pT3b).

2. To avoid misinterpretation of the seminal vesicle cells (monster cells) as malignant cells in core biopsies of prostate.