ISSN:
1432-2307
Keywords:
Lymphoepithelial carcinoma
;
Peanut lectin
;
Ulex europaeus lectin
;
S-100 protein
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Ten tumours of tonsillar or epipharyngeal localization showing the histological picture of “lymphoepithelial carcinoma” (Schmincke 1921) were examined immunohistochemically using Peanut lectin, Ulex europaeus lectin-I and an antiserum to S-100 protein. The findings suggest a close relationship of this type of carcinoma to the normal tonsillar crypt epithelium. The majority of tumour cells are UEA-I-positive and PNL-negative, as is the crypt epithelium, while oral mucosa is both PNL- and to a lesser extent UEA-I-reactive. Tumour areas expressing this pattern contain a large number of asteroid-shaped PNL-positive histiocytes and arachnoid-shaped histiocytes reacting with anti-S-100 protein; both cell types being probably identical and representing typical elements of the normal tonsillar crypt epithelium. Consequently, the WHO-term “nasopharyngeal carcinoma, undifferentiated type” seems to be inadequate for this type of tumour.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00694927
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