title: Best practices in diagnostic immunohistochemistry: pleomorphic cutaneous spindle cell tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pleomorphic cutaneous spindle cell tumors can be difficult to distinguish solely on histologic grounds. The use of ancillary immunohistochemical studies can greatly assist in this differential diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review histologic and immunohistochemical aspects of cutaneous spindle cell tumors and discuss a basic panel of markers to assist in the differential diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  English-language literature published between 1981 and 2005.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A basic immunohistochemistry panel for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin, melanocytic markers (S100 protein, HMB-45, Melan-A), smooth muscle actin, desmin, and endothelial markers (CD31, CD34) is effective in diagnosing most cutaneous spindle cell tumors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Folpe.Andrew@Mayo.edu
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Folpe
authors.forename: Kumarasen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D051677:Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor