title: Immunohistochemical staining of CD10 in atypical fibroxanthomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The histologic diagnosis of atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) may be difficult at times with a differential diagnosis including spindle cell/desmoplastic melanoma and a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While there are immunohistochemical stains that may be used to support a diagnosis of either melanoma or carcinoma, the diagnosis of AFX tends to be one of exclusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 35 cases including 16 AFXs, 10 poorly differentiated SCCs and nine spindle cell/desmoplastic melanomas were stained with the antibody against CD10.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was strong (3+) diffuse expression of CD10 in 15/16 (94%) AFXs, weak (1+) to moderate (2+) patchy expression of CD10 in 5/10 (50%) SCCs and weak (1+) expression of CD10 in 3/9 (33%) spindle cell/desmoplastic melanomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CD10 expression is helpful in distinguishing between AFXs, carcinomas and melanomas and will be useful in a panel of antibodies when distinguishing between these entities.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-3135, USA.
authors: Tricia L
authors: TL
authors: Hultgren
authors: Dominick J
authors: DJ
authors: DiMaio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015260:Neprilysin