Expression of cytokeratin 19 and protein p63 in fine needle aspiration biopsy of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the immunocytochemical distribution of CK19 and p63 on archival cytologic smears of 27 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), 22 benign thyroid lesions and 5 malignant non-PTC lesions.


METHODS
Archival cytologic smears of 27 papillary carcinomas, 22 benign thyroid lesions and 5 malignant nonpapillary carcinomas were processed for immunocytochemical detection of CK19 and p63, and results were compared.


RESULTS
CK19 showed strong cytoplasmic staining in 22/27 fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNABs) of PTCs, in 5 benign lesions and in 4 malignant lesions of the control group. p63 Positivity was present in FNABs of 20/27 PTC and in 1 FNAB of nodular hyperplasia. Eighteen FNABs of PTC (66.6%) showed both strong CK19 staining and p63-positive cells, whereas none of the control cases showed coexpression of CK19 and p63.


CONCLUSIONS
Coexistence of strong CK19 positivity and p63-positive cells can enhance the cytologic diagnosis of PTC.
Bonzanini
Mariella
M
Department of Surgical Pathology, S. Chiara Hospital, Italy. mariella.bonzanini@apss.tn.it
Amadori
Pier Luigi
PL
Sagramoso
Carlo
C
Dalla Palma
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053539:Keratin-19 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C081876:CKAP4 protein, human; D053539:Keratin-19; D008565:Membrane Proteins