[Immunohistochemical study on clear cell chondrosarcoma]

Clear cell chondrosarcoma, a subtype and separate entity from the conventional chondrosarcoma, is characterized by its special histologic features, site of predilection, slow growth and better prognosis. Three cases are presented with elucidation of clinicopathologic correlation and detection by ABC immunohistochemical method using several antibodies. The observation of positive reaction to S-100 protein, vimentin, anti-alpha-chymotrypsin and Lysozyme by the tumor cells of clear cell chondrosarcoma, similar to chondrosarcoma and chondroblastoma, proves that this tumor has its origin from the cartilaginous tissue. It was found for the first time that the clear cell chondrosarcoma was positive for wheat germ agglutinin and concanavalin A. The authors believe that clear cell chondrosarcoma may result from the anaplastic change of chondroblastoma cells into another subtype of that tumor. The osteoblastlike multinucleated giant cells, retaining the antigens of phagocytes, are not considered to be neoplastic.