Small cell lung carcinoma: clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study.
Sixty-seven cases of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLA) in Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) during the past 16 years were studied. For patients with extensive stage of disease, the mean survival time and 2-year survival rate were 7.2 months and 3.1% versus 13.4 months and 16.7% for patients with limited stage. A better prognosis was obtained by treatment with a combination of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical studies were performed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The positive rates in descending order were bombesin (80%), synaptophysin (74.3%), neurofilament (68.6%), neuron-specific enolase (60%), low molecular weight cytokeratin (54.3%), high molecular weight cytokeratin (25.7%), chromogranin-A (22.9%), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (0). Seven cases were examined and found to be ultrastructure; only 3 cases were found to contain neurosecretory granules. We emphasize that electron microscopy is not necessary as a routine diagnostic procedure, while light microscopy should be employed whenever possible; the immunohistochemical study should be considered within this context.
Department of Pathology, Chung-Shan Medical and Dental College, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
S W
SW
Shy
W H
WH
Lee
M C
MC
Chou
Y S
YS
Lai
Y C
YC
Tu
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001839:Bombesin / Q000032:analysis; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000737:chemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016708:Synaptophysin
D002864:Chromogranins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016708:Synaptophysin; D007633:Keratins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D001839:Bombesin