Cytokeratin expression in adrenal phaeochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether adrenal phaeochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas are immunoreactive for commercially available and routinely used cytokeratin antibodies.


METHODS
18 extra-adrenal paragangliomas and seven adrenal phaeochromocytomas were stained with CAM 5.2, AE1/3, and 34 beta E12 following microwave antigen retrieval of formalin fixed tissue.


RESULTS
A single case from the cauda equina was positive for both CAM 5.2 and AE1/3. In addition, two other cases--an intravagal and an orbital paraganglioma--also showed strong immunopositivity with CAM 5.2 and AE1/3. All phaeochromocytomas were negative with all epithelial markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Cauda equina paragangliomas are known to stain with cytokeratins; however, occasional paragangliomas from other sites may also be immunoreactive with cytokeratins. If the results of immunohistochemistry are not interpreted in the clinical and morphological context, the failure to recognise that extra-adrenal paragangliomas may on occasion react with anticytokeratin antibodies may lead to their being confused with metastatic carcinomas.
Department of Pathology, University of Natal School of Medicine and King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. chettyr@med.und.ac.za
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Chetty
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Pillay
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Jaichand
D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002345:Carotid Body Tumor / Q000737:chemistry; D002420:Cauda Equina; D002648:Child; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D010220:Para-Aortic Bodies; D010236:Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / Q000737:chemistry*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000737:chemistry*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014630:Vagus Nerve
D007633:Keratins