The relationship between extracellular matrix vesicles and calcospherites in primary mineralization of neoplastic bone tissue - TEM and SEM studies on osteosarcoma

Primary mineralization in neoplastic tissue was studied in osteosarcoma, correlating observations obtained by SEM to those found with TEM. The process is characterized by extracellular matrix vesicles, distributed in the matrix between the forming neoplastic cells and the calcifying fronts. The occurrence of osmiophilic material and solitary hydroxyapatite crystals within the vesicles is followed by accumulation of apatite crystals, disappearance of the vesicular membrane and formation of calcospherites and calcified fronts. The process described here in neoplastic tissue is essentially similar to primary calcification in normal calcified tissues.