[The expression and significance of chromogranin A and synaptophysin in adrenal gland tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of chromogranin A (CgA) and synaptophysin (Syn) for differential diagnosis of different kinds of adrenal gland tumors.


METHODS
The samples of 69 adrenal gland tumors and 4 normal adrenal glands were immunohistochemically analyzed for the expression of chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using chi-square test.


RESULTS
In the normal adrenal gland, CgA and Syn was exclusively detected in the medulla. CgA was detected in all pheochromocytomas 25/25 (100%), and gave less or no expression in adrenocortical tumors. Syn was detected in adrenocortical adenomas 27/28 (96.4%), adrenocortical carcinoma 7/8 (87.5%), pheochromocytoma 24/25 (96.0%) and adrenal metastatic carcinoma 6/8 (75.0%), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
There is statistically significant difference of CgA expression between adrenalcortical and adrenal medullary tumors, and also between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. CgA and Syn are immunohistochemically reliable markers in the differential diagnosis of various kinds of adrenal gland tumors.
Feng
Chao
C
Department of Urology, Fuxing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China. bill-333@263.net
Li
Han-zhong
HZ
Yan
Wei-gang
WG
Luo
Yu-feng
YF
Cao
Jin-ling
JL
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D018268:Adrenocortical Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D053379:Chromogranin A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D053379:Chromogranin A; D016708:Synaptophysin