Abstract
Purpose: :
Sebaceous cell carcinoma has a high clinical and pathological misdiagnosis rate. The purpose of our study is to investigate the immunophenotypes of sebaceous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCCA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the eyelid using commercially available antibodies in an effort to determine whether sebaceous cell carcinoma has a unique phenotype that may help to distinguish it from other eyelid malignancies.
Methods: :
Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens from 22 sebaceous, 22 basal cell, and 16 squamous cell carcinomas were identified from the archives of the F.C. Blodi Eye Pathology Laboratory at the University of Iowa between 1997 and 2007. Cases were reviewed for diagnostic accuracy. Using a standard immunoperoxidase technique, the following antibodies were applied: Ber Ep4, BRST 2 (GCDFP15), CAM 5.2, CEA, CK7, CK20, EMA, Her 2, HMFG 1 and HMFG 2. Interpretation of staining results was performed by 2 independent graders in a masked fashion.
Results: :
Cases of sebaceous cell carcinoma were much more likely to express EMA and Her 2 when compared with cases of BCCA and SCCA. Both sebaceous cell carcinomas and BCCAs demonstrated expression of Ber Ep4. Results of immunohistochemistry with the other antibodies listed above were not significantly different between the three tumor types.
Conclusions: :
Sebaceous cell carcinoma does appear to have a significantly unique immunophenotype when compared with other common malignant eyelid neoplasms. The antigens EMA, Ber Ep4, and Her 2 are expressed by the majority of sebaceous cell carcinomas, suggesting that a panel of immunohistochemical stains can be useful in distinguishing this tumor from BCCA and SCCA.
Keywords: pathology: human • tumors • eyelid