Psammoma
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article from the 1928–1936 Great Medical Encyclopedia defines psammomas as tumors containing foci of calcification known as psammoma bodies. It explains that because these bodies can occur in various tumor types such as carcinomas, sarcomas, endotheliomas, and fibromas, it is more correct to refer to them as psammomatous tumors rather than a distinct neoplasm.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
PSAMMOMA (from the Greek psammos - sand), a tumor that contains foci of calcification, or so-called psammoma bodies (see Corpora arenacea). Since tumors with these bodies are of a very diverse nature in terms of histogenesis—such as carcinomas (for example, of the ovaries), sarcomas, endotheliomas (especially of the dura mater), fibromas, etc.—it is more correct to speak not of psammoma as a special tumor, but of psammomatous tumors, for example, psammomatous carcinoma, psammomatous endothelioma, and the like. The sites of formation of psammoma bodies are either connective tissue elements, hyalinized blood vessel walls, or epithelial cells, their secretion, etc. Usually, the bodies appear as concentrically laminated calcareous formations, for example, in psammomatous fibroendothelioma of the dura mater (figure—see separate table to the article Carcinoma). More rarely, the bodies have the appearance of spikes, needles, trabeculae, flasks, cylinders, etc. PSEUDARTHROSIS—see False joint.
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“Psammoma.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.com/article/psammoma/