The meanings of markers: ancillary techniques in diagnosis of thyroid neoplasia

This review article primarily discusses immunohistochemical markers used to aid the diagnosis of thyroid neoplasia. The review concentrates on high molecular weight cytokeratins, cytokertain 19, HBME-1, and galectin-3. Diagnostic uses of proliferation markers such as p27(kip1) and Ki-67 are discussed along with the oncogene ret in relation to papillary carcinomas and PAX8-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma1 in relation to follicular carcinoma. The diagnostic use of retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene product is also discussed. The sensitivities and specificities as well as the pitfalls of these techniques are reviewed. On the basis of the literature, the most highly recommended of these markers to aid in diagnosis are HBME-1 and galectin-3.