title: Vimentin: an evaluation of its role as a tumour marker.
abstract: In this study we examined 198 sarcomas, 38 carcinomas, 13 'tumours with a spindle cell component' and 22 malignant melanomas with a commercial monoclonal vimentin antibody. All histopathological material was formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. The results show this antibody to be a sensitive and specific marker of mesenchymal derivation or differentiation. It is a useful tool in separating sarcomas from most carcinomas, and in separating malignant melanomas from carcinomas. When used in combination with a cytokeratin antibody it identifies carcinosarcomas and synovial sarcomas.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins