Immunohistochemical distinction of epithelioid histiocytic proliferations from epithelioid melanocytic nevi Journal Article


Authors: Busam, K. J.; Granter, S. R.; Iversen, K.; Jungbluth, A. A.
Article Title: Immunohistochemical distinction of epithelioid histiocytic proliferations from epithelioid melanocytic nevi
Abstract: Histiocytic tumors can be confused with melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma and vice versa. To explore the use of immunohistochemistry for this diagnostic problem, we examined the expression of S-100 protein, gp100 (the antigen recognized by HMB-45), tyrosinase (T311), Melan-A (A103), Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), and CD68 in 10 juvenile xanthogranulomas (JXGs), five epithelioid histiocytomas (EHs), and 15 melanocytic nevi composed of large epithelioid cells. All epithelioid melanocytic nevi were immunoreactive for Melan-A, tyrosinase, and S-100 protein in most melanocytes. Four nevi were completely negative with HMB-45. Nine nevi had only a minor HMB-45-positive component in the superficial dermis. Two nevi were diffusely HMB-45-positive. Melanocytes in all nevi were completely negative for FXIIIa. Thirteen nevi were completely negative for CD68. Two nevi contained rare cells with weak staining for CD68. All 15 histiocytic proliferations were completely negative for Melan-A, tyrosinase, and gp100. They lacked expression of S-100 protein or had at most 10% immunopositive cells. In JXGs, most cells were strongly reactive for CD68, although only a few were positive for FXIIIa. In EHs, 40% to 60% of cells were immunoreactive for FXIIIa, and only 20% to 30% were positive for CD68. Our results demonstrate that Melan-A and tyrosinase are sensitive and specific markers to distinguish epithelioid melanocytic nevi from epithelioid histiocytic tumors.
Keywords: human tissue; protein expression; histopathology; disease classification; cell proliferation; skin neoplasms; diagnosis, differential; neoplasm proteins; tumor markers, biological; antigens, neoplasm; melanocytic nevus; nevus, pigmented; monophenol monooxygenase; antigens, cd; epithelioid cell; s100 proteins; antigens, differentiation, myelomonocytic; histiocytoma; histiocytoma, benign fibrous; tyrosinase; juvenile xanthogranuloma; xanthogranuloma, juvenile; humans; human; priority journal; article; epithelioid nevus; melan- a
Journal Title: American Journal of Dermatopathology
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0193-1091
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2000-06-01
Start Page: 237
End Page: 241
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/00000372-200006000-00005
PUBMED: 10871066
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 18 November 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Achim Jungbluth
    454 Jungbluth
  2. Klaus J Busam
    688 Busam
  3. Kristin A Iversen
    58 Iversen