Abstract
BackgroundSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is normally diagnosed with hematoxylin and eosin stains, although some cases require immunohistochemistry (IHC). P40 is highly sensitive and specific for squamous cell carcinoma and is thus considered the best marker for this cancer. However, the status of p40 expression in SCLC is not well known. The aim of this study was to analyze p40 expression in resected SCLC using IHC.MethodsForty‐four surgically resected SCLC cases were enrolled. Clinical data were obtained from the patients’ medical records. Pathologists blinded to the patients’ clinical data reviewed the SCLC slides. IHC was performed on a representative slide of each case.ResultsAlthough p40 was not diffusely expressed in any of the SCLC cases, p40‐positive cells were observed in the tumors in 15 cases (34.1%). Ten of these exhibited p40 in < 1% of tumor cells. In the remaining five cases, 1–5% of tumor cells expressed p40, and in three of these, the cells expressing p40 also expressed TTF‐1 and neuroendocrine markers. There was no statistically significant relationship between p40 positivity and any other clinicopathological characteristics.ConclusionsSome resected SCLCs express p40 focally. This result suggests that the presence of positive p40 cells does not exclude a diagnosis of SCLC. Thus, small biopsy or cytology specimens with p40‐positive cells must be diagnosed carefully.
Highlights
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately14% of all newly diagnosed lung cancer cases.1 SCLCs are normally diagnosed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining using small biopsy and cytology specimens.2some cases require immunohistochemistry (IHC) to differentiate them from lymphomas, low-grade neuroendocrine tumors, or basaloid squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).Several SCC markers can be detected using IHC: CK5/6, DSM3, p40, and p63
P40 was not diffusely expressed in any of the SCLC cases, p40-positive cells were observed in 15 cases
The cytological features of the p40-positive tumor cells did not differ from those of surrounding p40-negative cells (Fig 1c,d); the p40-positive tumor cells were morphologically diagnosed as SCLC
Summary
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately14% of all newly diagnosed lung cancer cases. SCLCs are normally diagnosed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining using small biopsy and cytology specimens.2some cases require immunohistochemistry (IHC) to differentiate them from lymphomas, low-grade neuroendocrine tumors, or basaloid squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).Several SCC markers can be detected using IHC: CK5/6, DSM3, p40, and p63. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately. SCLCs are normally diagnosed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining using small biopsy and cytology specimens.. Some cases require immunohistochemistry (IHC) to differentiate them from lymphomas, low-grade neuroendocrine tumors, or basaloid squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). P40, an isoform of p63 (deltaNp63), is a highly sensitive and specific marker of SCC. In previous reports, both the sensitivity and specificity of p40 for diagnosing pulmonary SCC have been almost 100%.3–5. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is normally diagnosed with hematoxylin and eosin stains, some cases require immunohistochemistry (IHC). P40 is highly sensitive and specific for squamous cell carcinoma and is considered the best marker for this cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze p40 expression in resected SCLC using IHC
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
