Immunofluorescent localization of cytokeratin intermediate filaments as a means of defining the presence of recurrent basal cell carcinoma.
Intermediate filament subunits are reliable markers of cytogenetic origin for both normal and neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemical localization of cytokeratin filaments offers a sensitive and specific means of identifying basal or reserve cells when studying histologic sections of skin biopsy specimens. We have applied this technique on eighteen cases in which unequivocal diagnosis or recurrent basal cell carcinoma could not be rendered by conventional histologic techniques. In three of the cases studied, microscopic islands of basal cell carcinoma could be demonstrated by positive staining with cytokeratin antibodies. In the remaining fifteen cases, the possibility of recurrent basal cell carcinoma could be conclusively eliminated on the basis of negative staining with this antibody. Immunolabeling with tissue specific cytokeratin antibodies by indirect immunofluorescent examination may thus constitute a reliable and relatively simple technique that may serve to establish a definitive diagnosis in equivocal cases of suspected recurrent basal cell carcinoma.
Ronnen
M
M
Department of Dermatology, Josephtal Medical Center, Eilat, Israel.
Suster
S
S
Orenstein
A
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000032:analysis*; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007633:Keratins