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Keratin in epithelioid sarcoma. An immunohistochemical study.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Epithelioid sarcoma often contains keratin intermediate-sized filaments, not just vimentin. This keratin immunoreactivity can aid in distinguishing epithelioid sarcoma from other tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor.
- Previous studies suggested vimentin as the primary intermediate filament in epithelioid sarcoma.
Observation:
- This study examined 32 epithelioid sarcoma cases using polyclonal antibodies against keratin and the peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) technique.
- Immunoreactivity was assessed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
Findings:
- Seventy-five percent (24/32) of epithelioid sarcoma cases exhibited positive keratin immunoreactivity.
- Trypsin predigestion enhanced the keratin staining.
- Keratin positivity was observed in tumors traditionally considered mesenchymal.
Implications:
- Keratin immunoreactivity can be a valuable diagnostic marker for epithelioid sarcoma, helping differentiate it from other neoplasms like fibrous histiocytoma and melanoma.
- The findings challenge the traditional classification of mesenchymal tumors, as keratin expression is not exclusive to epithelial neoplasms.
- Keratin expression in epithelioid sarcoma suggests a potential epithelial or myoepithelial differentiation component.