Histochemical studies of dense-core granulated tumors of the lung. Neuron-specific enolase as a marker for granulated cells.
It is well known that carcinoid tumors and some small-cell carcinomas of the lung contain dense-core granules (DCGs). Moreover, a small number of tumors presenting with epidermoid, large-cell, or adenocarcinoma histologic characteristics (so-called atypical endocrine tumors), also contain DCGs. Herein, we describe certain histochemical features of DCG tumors and compare them with other major lung tumor types that lack DCGs (non-DCG tumors). All DCG tumors contained neuron-specific enolase and many contained serotonin. These markers were not present in any non-DCG tumor. Other histochemical markers (glycogen, mucosubstances, corticotropin, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, keratin, somatostatin, and calcitonin) were found in a proportion of DCG and non-DCG tumors, but were, in general, more common in non-DCG tumors and atypical endocrine tumors than in carcinoids and small-cell carcinomas. alpha-Fetoprotein was rarely found in non-DCG tumors, and was never observed in DCG tumors. The atypical endocrine group represents a class of tumors with a remarkably mixed and varied phenotype. Their potential significance is discussed and methods to facilitate their diagnosis are suggested.
T S
TS
Wilson
E M
EM
McDowell
P J
PJ
Marangos
B F
BF
Trump
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000473:pathology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D012701:Serotonin; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase