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Updated: May 12, 2026
Quantitative Immunohistochemistry of the Cellular Microenvironment in Patient Glioblastoma Resections
Published on: July 31, 2017
Immunohistochemical demonstration of cyclooxygenase-2 in glomus tumors
Takaji Yanai1, Toshikazu Tanaka, Takeshi Ogawa
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kikkoman General Hospital, Chiba, Japan. yanai@earth.ocn.ne.jp
Background:
Glomus tumors are benign hamartomas that account for 1% to 5% of all soft-tissue tumors of the hand. Painful spasms radiating from the lesion are typical clinical signs. As the pain production mechanism is unclear, we evaluated S100 protein, substance P, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in glomus tumor samples.
Methods:
Eight solitary glomus tumors were surgically excised and confirmed histologically by an experienced pathologist. Paraffin-embedded tissues were prepared for immunohistochemistry. The sections were stained with separate polyclonal antibodies for S100, substance P, and cyclooxygenase-2. In three of the tumors, we measured the prostaglandin E2 concentrations.
Results:
All samples were positive for S100 protein and cyclooxygenase-2.Substance P was found in five of the eight samples. High prostaglandin-E2 concentrations were seen in all three samples tested.
Conclusions:
Cyclooxygenase-2-immunoreactive cells are present in solitary glomus tumors. Since cyclooxygenase-2 produces prostaglandin E2, which is thought to be a strong vasodilator, the pain could be caused by vasodilation in the glomus tumor, with increased intracapsular pressure.
