The differential diagnosis of central nervous system tumors: A critical examination of some recent immunohistochemical applications Journal Article


Authors: Edgar, M. A.; Rosenblum, M. K.
Article Title: The differential diagnosis of central nervous system tumors: A critical examination of some recent immunohistochemical applications
Abstract: Context. - As we write, novel antibodies that may well alter the routine practice of surgical neuropathology are in development, characterization, and the early stages of clinical use. These will be used for purposes of tumor subclassification, as prognostic markers, as identifiers of potential therapeutic targets, and as predictors of treatment response. Objective. - To provide for nonspecialists a critical assessment of the peer-reviewed literature (necessarily colored by our own experience) as it pertains to several immunohistochemical reagents that have been recently forwarded as adjuncts to the histologic typing of central nervous system tumors. Data Sources. - We address in these pages only antibodies that are commercially available, that have been the subjects of multiple published series, and that we have had occasion to use in the course of everyday problem solving. Conclusions. - Discussion concentrates on the use of 4 antibodies: BAF47 in the diagnosis of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, OCT4 in intracranial germinoma, β-catenin in craniopharyngioma, and NeuN as a marker of neuronal differentiation in neuroepithelial neoplasms.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; unclassified drug; review; diagnosis, differential; differential diagnosis; tumor markers, biological; cell protein; histology; central nervous system tumor; central nervous system neoplasms; teratoma; craniopharyngioma; beta catenin; germ cell tumor; neuron specific nuclear protein; antibody; octamer transcription factor 4; rhabdoid tumor; antibody labeling; baf47 protein; sella turcica tumor
Journal Title: Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Volume: 132
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0003-9985
Publisher: College of American Pathologists  
Date Published: 2008-03-01
Start Page: 500
End Page: 509
Language: English
PUBMED: 18318590
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 7" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: ARPAA" - "Source: Scopus"
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Mark Allen Edgar
    45 Edgar
  2. Marc Rosenblum
    424 Rosenblum