Immunohistochemical reclassification of anaplastic carcinoma reveals small and giant cell lymphoma.
Thirty-one cases of thyroid malignancies which were originally classified as anaplastic carcinoma were reexamined immunohistochemically using PAP methods (peroxidase:antiperoxidase) for IgM, IgG, IgA, cytokeratin, calcitonin, lysozyme and alpha-1-antitrypsin. The reclassification results were compared with patient data such as clinical symptoms, treatment modalities, and clinical outcome. Postoperative radiotherapy was carried out in more than 80% of cases, chemotherapy in none. Seven of 31 tumors showed a positive staining for IgM (n = 4), IgG (n = 2), and IgA (n = 1) antibodies. All of these cases were negative for epithelial markers. Surprisingly, not only all small cell tumors (n = 3) but also 4 tissues with predominantly giant cell areas were among those reclassified as primary malignant lymphoma.
Hölting
T
T
Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Möller
P
P
Tschahargane
C
C
Meybier
H
H
Buhr
H
H
Herfarth
C
C
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology