Peanut agglutinin immunohistochemistry of basal cell carcinoma

103 biopsies of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) were studied using peanut agglutinin (PNA), PNA antibody and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique; 53 specimens of various skin tumors were examined as controls; 96% of the BCCs showed a band-like peritumorous reaction not seen in any other tumor except for the Pinkus' fibroepithelioma. The peritumorous PNA-binding was continuous in 51% of the BCCs studied and discontinuous in 45%; only 4% were completely negative. Both fibroepitheliomas revealed a discontinuous PNA-positive band. A narrow basement membrane-like positivity was seen around some small hair follicles situated within 2 neurofibromas and under one seborrhoeic keratosis. The PNA-binding band is apparently neither fibronectin, laminin, Type IV or Type V collagen and is not a constituent of normal epidermal, adnexal and vascular basement membranes.