Immunohistochemical profiles in primary lung cancers and epithelial pulmonary metastases

Correct diagnosis of pulmonary tumors is essential for treatment decision and often relies on immunohistochemical markers. We stained tissue microarrays from resected primary lung cancer (n = 665) and pulmonary metastases (n = 425) for CK7, CK20, CDX2, CK5, p40, p63, TTF-1, napsin A, GATA3, and PAX8 to systematically assess the diagnostic value of these markers. Primary lung adenocarcinomas expressed TTF-1 in 90% and napsin A in 84% of the cases, whereas 10% were positive for p63, 7% for CDX2, 2% for CK20, and 2% for GATA3. Only 68% of the lung adenocarcinomas were positive for CK7, TTF-1, and napsin A and negative for all other markers. Primary lung squamous cell carcinomas expressed CK5, p40, and p63 in 94%-97% of cases, whereas 44% were positive for CK7, 20% for GATA3, 7% for CDX2, and 3% for TTF-1. Rare cases expressed PAX8, CK20, or napsin A. Pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer were positive for CK20 in 83% and CDX2 in 99% of the cases. Rare cases expressed CK7, p63, or PAX8, whereas 4% expressed TTF-1. Pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinomas were positive for PAX8 in 74%, napsin A in 7%, and CK7 in 7% of the cases. Pulmonary metastases of breast cancer were positive for GATA3 in 93% and CK7 in 78% of the cases, whereas 15% expressed CK5. Information on expression and patterns of immunohistochemical markers facilitates histopathological diagnostics. Evidently, unusual immune profiles occur and may lead to incorrect diagnosis.