Prostatic acid phosphatase in strumal carcinoids of the ovary. An immunohistochemical study.
BACKGROUND
Strumal carcinoids (SC) are ovarian tumors containing thyroid parenchyma admixed with carcinoid elements. Microscopically, the carcinoid component of SC usually presents a ribbon or trabecular pattern similar to the pattern exhibited by hindgut carcinoids. The authors designed an immunohistochemical study to ascertain further similarities of the carcinoid component of SC to rectal carcinoids.


METHODS
Five cases of SC were examined by light microscopic study with hematoxylin and eosin and immunoperoxidase staining with a group of neurohormonal peptides, thyroglobulin, prostatic acid phosphatase, and prostate specific antigen.


RESULTS
All tumors were positive for thyroglobulin, chromogranin, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and glucagon. They were consistently negative for prostate specific antigen and variably positive to the other antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
The consistent positivity of the carcinoid component of SC to PAP immunostaining is a further similarity of these tumors to rectal carcinoids, in which positive immunostaining to PAP has been observed. The similarity is not well understood, however, as all evidence points to the origin of SC from germ cells in mature cystic teratomas without any embryologic relationship to the hindgut.
Sidhu
J
J
Department of Surgical Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0588.
Sánchez
R L
RL
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000473:pathology; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide / Q000032:analysis; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013330:Struma Ovarii / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D002864:Chromogranins; D012701:Serotonin; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide; D005934:Glucagon; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D000135:Acid Phosphatase