Female adnexal tumours of probable Wolffian origin: an immunohistochemical study comparing tumours, mesonephric remnants and paramesonephric derivatives.
OBJECTIVE
To establish an immunohistochemical profile of presumed female adnexal mesonephric tumours (FATWO) for diagnostic purposes and to compare the findings with those of mesonephric and paramesonephric derivatives in order to establish supportive evidence for a mesonephric origin.


RESULTS
Standard immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed tissues. Tumours, mesonephric remnants and paramesonephric structures generally show positive staining for vimentin, CAM 5.2 and cytokeratins 7 and 19 but are negative for CK20 and 34 beta E12. EMA is positive in both mesonephric and paramesonephric derivatives but is negative in the tumours. Glutathione S-transferase mu (GST mu) is generally positive in both tumours and mesonephric derivatives but negative in paramesonephric structures.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemistry plays little part in the diagnosis of FATWO. The tumours are generally cytokeratin and vimentin-positive and EMA-negative. GST mu, as a marker for the mesonephric duct, is a useful adjunct. Our findings of the study support but do not prove that FATWOs are of mesonephric origin.
Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research and University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
A J
AJ
Tiltman
U
U
Allard
D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D008649:Mesonephroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008650:Mesonephros / Q000196:embryology; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis*; D014928:Wolffian Ducts / Q000196:embryology
D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins