title: Schwann cell differentiation of modified myoepithelial cells within adenoid cystic carcinomas and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas: clinicopathologic assessment of immunohistochemical staining.
abstract: Adenoid cystic carcinomas and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas have a known propensity for perineural invasion. Although modified myoepithelial cells have been shown to possess characteristics of a variety of cell types, they have not yet been found to mimic nerve tissue. Histologic evidence of Schwann cell differentiation would suggest the pathophysiologic mechanism by which these tumours exhibit neurotropism. An archival study of 41 specimens was performed to evaluate the Schwann cell staining properties of adenoid cystic and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas using antibodies to S-100 protein, GFAP, neuron-specific enolase, and using a solochrome stain. Charts were reviewed to assess correlations between immunohistochemical and histochemical staining properties and various clinical parameters. The findings strongly suggest that neuronal differentiation does occur within these tumours. Furthermore, it was determined that solochrome positivity confers a significantly less favourable disease-free interval in these neoplasms. This new finding was highly statistically significant and has potential implications in the determination of prognosis for patients with these tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Medicine, London.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Lampe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stitt
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Veinot
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009208:Myoepithelioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D009418:S100 Proteins; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase