Vimentin and leukocyte common antigen-negative molding cells in pleural effusions of patients with small cell lung carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the presence of vimentin and leukocyte common antigen (LCA)-negative molding cells (VLNMC) could help in identifying rare small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells.


METHODS
Thirty-four cell blocks of pleural effusions (PEs) from 26 patients with confirmed SCLC were stained immunohistochemically with vimentin and LCA antibodies and compared with hematoxylin and eosin-stained preparations.


RESULTS
VLNMC were present in 22/22 PEs originally diagnosed as positive or atypical/suspicious for SCLC. Focal vimentin staining was seen in SCLC in 10/22 cases, and 1 case showed many vimentin-positive SCLC cells. One of 11 PEs originally interpreted as negative showed rare groups of VLNMC. This was supported by a subsequent PE obviously positive for SCLC.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunoperoxidase stains for vimentin and LCA highlight SCLC in PEs as VLNMC; however, morphologic criteria must prevail in making the final diagnosis.
Cao
Q Jackie
QJ
Department of Pathology, Baystate Medical Center, Western Campus of Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. qing.jackie.cao@bhs.org
Panetti
Christine
C
Marconi
Sharon
S
Krebs
Patricia
P
Lorenzana
Roxanne R
RR
Goulart
Robert A
RA
Bur
Martin E
ME
D000906:Antibodies; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis*
D000906:Antibodies; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014746:Vimentin; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin