Immunocytochemical evaluation of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether immunocytochemistry can distinguish pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) among non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).


METHODS
Tumor touch imprint cytologic specimens of 109 lung cancers were studied. Immunocytochemistry was done using a total of 8 primary antibodies: chromogranin A, synaptophysin, neural cell adhesion molecule, neuron specific enolase, CK34betaE12, thyroid transcription factor-1, cytokeratin 18 and E-cadherin.


RESULTS
If 2 or 3 antibodies of chromogranin A, synaptophysin and neural cell adhesion molecule were stained positive and CK34betaE12 was not stained, pulmonary LCNEC can be selected accurately among other NSCLCs with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals that immunocytochemistry can help distinguish LCNEC of the lung from other NSCLCs.
Endo
Chiaki
C
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. endo@idac.tohoku.ac.jp
Honda
Masako
M
Sakurada
Akira
A
Sato
Masami
M
Saito
Yasuki
Y
Kondo
Takashi
T
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D018278:Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor