Abstract
In a consecutive and prospective cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical study we have examined 100 serous fluids with a panel of antibodies. Three different immunocytochemical patterns of staining were recognized: (i) a benign profile showing no Ber-EP4 or CEA-positive cells; (ii) a malignant profile with Ber-EP4 and strongly EMA-positive epithelial cells; and (iii) a malignant profile in which mesothelial cells were strongly positive for EMA. By applying these profiles the number of malignant cases recognized increased from 19 to 38. All cytomorphologic malignant fluids showed a malignant profile, but in two cases a malignant epithelial profile was found in patients without otherwise proven malignant disease (false positive staining). Immunocytochemistry with anti-Ber-EP4 and anti-EMA can be recommended as a routine procedure, but the marker result should always be correlated with cytomorphology, eventual histologic data and clinical records.
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