Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evidence of vascular differentiation in anaplastic tumours of the thyroid - An immunohistological study

  • Published:
Virchows Archiv A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Sixteen cases of anaplastic carcinoma (ACA) and 4 cases of malignant haemangioendothelioma (HAE) of the thyroid were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

Seven cases of ACA and 3 cases of HAE were characterized by coexpression of immunohistological features of epithelial and vascular endothelial cells.

Expression of vimentin was common to all tumours investigated. The present study provides evidence that ACA and HAE are partially closely related tumours showing alternating differentiation. This speaks in favour of a common neoplastic cell with the potential for epithelial and vascular endothelial differentiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albores-Saavedra J, Nadji M, Civantos F, Morales AR (1983) Thyroglobulin in carcinoma of the thyroid: An immunohistochemical study. Hum Pathol 14:62–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Aldinger KA, Samaan NA, Ibanez M, Hill CS (1978) Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid - A review of 84 cases of spindle and giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Cancer 41:2267–2275

    Google Scholar 

  • Alles JU, Bosslet K (1985) Immunohistochemical and immunochemical characterization of a new endothelial cell specific antigen. J Histochem Cytochem (in press)

  • Böcker W, Dralle H, Hüsselmann H, Bay V, Brassow M (1980) Immunohistochemical analysis of thyroglobulin synthesis in thyroid carcinomas. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat]: 385:187–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Borisch B, Möller P, Harms D (1983) Lektin Ulex Europaeus I als Marker in der Differentialdiagnose von Gefäßtumoren. Pathologe 4:241–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Brabec RK, Peters BP, Bernstein IA, Gray RH, Goldstein IJ (1980) Differential lectin binding to cellular membranes in the epidermis of the newborn rat. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 77:477–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgdorf WHC, Mukai K, Rosai J (1981) Immunohistochemical identification of Factor VIII-Related Antigen in endothelial cells of cutaneous lesions of alleged vascular nature. Am J Clin Pathol 75:167–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Caselitz J, Osborn M, Seifert G, Weber K (1981) Intermediate-sized filament proteins (prekeratin, vimentin, desmin) in the normal parotid gland and parotid gland tumours. Immunofluorescence study. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 393:273–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Carcangiu ML, Steeper TH, Zampi G, Rosai J (1985) Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma - A study of 70 cases. Am J Clin Pathol 83:135–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Droese M, Altmannsberger M, Dralle H (1984) Verteilung der Intermediärfilamente in Schilddrüsencarcinomen. Verh Dtsch Ges Path 68:498

    Google Scholar 

  • Egloff B (1977) Nicht-epitheliale Geschwülste der Schilddrüse. Verh Dtsch Ges Pathol 61:209–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Egloff B (1983) The hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 400:119–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Feigl W, Denk H, Davidovits A, Holzner JH (1976) Blood group isoantigens in human benign and malignant vascular tumors. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 370:323–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Feller AC, Parwaresch MR (1983) Simultaneous Enzyme-Immunocytochemical detection of antigens in monocellular specimens with monoclonal antibodies. J Immunol Methods 63:273–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke WW, Schmid E, Osborn M, Weber K (1978) Different intermediate sized filaments distinguished by immunofluorescence microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 75:5034–5038

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke WW, Schmid E, Winter S, Osborn M, Weber K (1979) Widespread occurrence of intermediate sized filaments of the vimentin-type in cultured cells from diverse vertebrates. Exp Cell Res 123:25–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke WW, Schmid E, Osborn M, Weber K (1979) Intermediate-sized filaments of human endothelial cells. J Cell Biol 81:570–580

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Campora R, Montero C, Martin-Lacave I, Galera H (1986) Demonstration of vascular endothelium in thyroid carcinomas using Ulex europaeus I agglutinin. Histopathology 10:261–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould VE, Memoli VA, Dardi LE (1981) Multidirectional differentiation in human epithelial cancers. J Submicrosc Cytol 13:97–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould VE (1986) Histogenesis and differentiation: A re-evaluation of these concepts as criteria for the classification of tumors. Hum Pathol 17:212–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Guarda LA, Ordonez NG, Smith JL Jr, Hanssen G (1982) Immunoperoxidase localization of factor VIII in angiosarcomas. Arch Pathol Lab Med 106:515–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedinger Chr (1969) Sarcomas of the thyroid. In: Hedinger CE (ed) Thyroid cancer. UICC monograph series, vol 12. Berlin, Springer Verlag, p 47

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedinger Chr, Sobin LH (1974) Histological typing of thyroid tumours. International Histological Classification of Tumours Nr. 11. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedinger E (1909) Zur Lehre der Struma sarcomatosa. 1. Die Blutgefäßendotheliome der Struma. Frankfurt Z Pathol 76:487–540

    Google Scholar 

  • Heitz P, Moser H, Staub JJ (1976) Thyroid cancer. A study of 573 thyroid tumors and 161 autopsy cases observed over a thirty-year period. Cancer 37:2329–2337

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyderman E, Steele K, Ormerod MG (1979) A new antigen on the epithelial membrane: its immunoperoxidase localisation in normal and neoplastic tissues. J Clin Pathol 32:35–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Holthöfer H, Virtanen I, Petterson E, Törnroth T, Alfthan O, Linder E, Miettinen A (1981) Lectins as fluorescence microscopic markers for saccharides in human kidney. Lab Invest 45:391–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Holthöfer H, Virtanen I, Kariniemi AL, Hormia M, Linder E, Miettinen A (1982) Ulex europaeus I lectin as a marker for vascular endothelium in human tissues. Lab Invest 47:60–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Holthöfer H, Miettinen A, Paasivuo R, Lehto VP, Linder E, Alfthan O, Virtanen I (1983) Cellular origin and differentiation of renal carcinomas: a fluorescence microscopic study with kidney-specific antibodies, antiintermediate filament antibodies, and lectins. Lab Invest 49:317–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosaka M, Murase N, Orito T, Mori M (1985) Immunohistochemical evaluation of factor VIII related antigen, filament proteins and lectin binding in haemangiomas. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 407:237–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyer LW, de los Santos RP, Hoyer JR (1973) Antihemophilic factor antigen: Localization in endothelial cells by immunofluorescence. J Clin Invest 52:2737–2744

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe EA, Hoyer LW, Nachman RL (1973) Synthesis of antihemophilic factor antigen by cultured human endothelial cells. J Clin Invest 52:2757–2764

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe EA (1977) Endothelial cells and the biology of factor VIII. N Engl J Med 296:377–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Jao W, Gould VE (1975) Ultrastructure of anaplastic (spindle and giant cell) carcinoma of the thyroid. Cancer 35:1280–1292

    Google Scholar 

  • Kindblom LG (1982) Factor VIII related antigen and mast cells. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand A90:437–439

    Google Scholar 

  • Krepler D, Denk H, Artlieb U, Moll R (1982) Immunocytochemistry of intermediate filament proteins present in pleomorphic adenomas of the human parotid gland: characterization of different cell types in the same tumor. Differentiation 21:191–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Krisch K, Holzner JH, Kokoschka R, Jakesz R, Niederle B, Roka R (1980) Hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid gland- true endothelioma or anaplastic carcinoma? Pathol Res Pract 170:230–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Logmans SC, Jöbsis AC (1984) Thyroid-associated antigens in routinely embedded carcinomas: Possibilities and limitations in 116 cases. Cancer 54:274–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Mambo NC, Miac ChB, Irwin SM (1984) Anaplastic small cell neoplasms of the thyroid: An immunoperoxidase study. Hum Pathol 15:55–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason DY, Abdulaziz Z, Falini B, Stein H (1983) In: Polak JM, Van Noorden S (eds) Immunocytochemistry. Practical applications in Pathology and Biology. Wright. PSG. Bristol, London, Boston, pp 113–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner WA, Warren S (1969) Tumors of the thyroid gland. Atlas of tumor pathology. Sec Ser Fasc 4. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, pp 123–126

  • Mendelsohn G, Brigner SH, Eggleston JC, Baylin SB, Wells SA Jr (1980) Anaplastic variants of medullary thyroid carcinoma. A light microscopic and immunohistochemical study. Am J Surg Pathol 4:333–341

    Google Scholar 

  • Mepham BL, Frater W, Mitchell BS (1979) The use of proteolytic enzymes to improve immunoglobulin staining by the PAP technique. Histochem J 11:345–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Miettinen M, Holthöfer H, Lehto VP, Miettinen A, Virtanen I (1983) Ulex europaeus I lectin as a marker for tumors derived from endothelial cells. Am J Clin Pathol 79:32–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Miettinen M, Franssila K, Lehto VP, Paasivuo R, Virtanen I (1984) Expression of intermediate filament proteins in thyroid gland and thyroid tumors. Lab Invest 50:262–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukai K, Rosai J, Burgdorf WHC (1980) Localization of factor VIII-related antigen in vascular endothelial cells using an immunoperoxidase method. Am J Surg Pathol 4:273–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadji M, Morales AR, Ziegles-Weissman J, Penneys NS (1981) Kaposi's sarcoma. Immunohistologic evidence for an endothelial origin. Arch Pathol Lab Med 105:274–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Noser A (1985) Anaplastische Schilddrüsenkarzinome. Frage ihrer Abstammung, Untersuchung mit immunhistochemischen Methoden. Inaugural-Dissertation, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Zürich

  • Ordonez NG, Batsakis JG (1984) Comparison of ulex europaeus I lectin and factor VIII-related antigen in vascular lesions. Arch Pathol Lab Med 108:129–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Permanetter W, Nathrarth WBJ, Löhrs U (1982) Immunohistochemical analysis of thyroglobulin and keratin in benign and malignant thyroid tumors. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 398:221–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfaltz M, Hedinger Chr, Saremaslani P, Egloff B (1983) Malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid and factor VIII-related antigen. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 401:177–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinkus GS, Kurtin PJ (1985) Epithelial membrane antigen - a diagnostic discriminant in surgical pathology: Immunohistochemical profile in epithelial, mesenchymal, and hematopoietic neoplasms using paraffin sections and monoclonal antibodies. Hum Pathol 16:929–940

    Google Scholar 

  • Piovella F, Sitor GM, Ruggeri A, Dell'Orbo C, Ascari E (1978) The ultrastructural localization of Factor VIII-antigen in human platelets, megakaryocytes and endothelial cells using a ferritin labelled antibody. Br J Haematol 39:209–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosai J, Carcangiu ML (1984) Pathology of thyroid tumors: Some recent and old questions. Hum Pathol 15:1008–1012

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruchti Ch, Gerber HA, Schaffner Th (1984) Factor VIII-related antigen in malignant hemangioendothelioma of the thyroid: Additional evidence for the endothelial origin of this tumor. Am J Clin Pathol 82:474–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Schäffer R, Ormanns W (1983) Immunhistochemischer Nachweis von Faktor-VIII-Antigen in malignen Hämangioendotheliomen der Schilddrüse. Ein Beitrag zur Histogenese. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 113:601–605

    Google Scholar 

  • Sehested M, Hou-Jensen K (1981) Factor VIII related antigen as an endothelial cell marker in benign and malignant diseases. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 391:217–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloane JP, Ormerod MG (1981) Distribution of epithelial membrane antigen in normat and neoplastic tissues and its value in diagnostic tumor pathology. Cancer 47:1786–1795

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson TJ, Griffiths DWR, Mills PM (1986) Comparison of ulex europaeus I lectin binding and factor VIII-related antigen as markers of vascular endothelium in follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. Histopathology 10:251–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberger LA, Hardy PH Jr, Cuculis JJ, Meyer HG (1970) The unlabeled antibody enzyme method of immuno-histochemistry. Preparation and properties of soluble antigen-antibody complex (horseradish peroxidase-antihorseradish peroxidase) and its use in identification of spirochetes. J Histochem Cytochem 18:315–333

    Google Scholar 

  • von Overbeck J, Stähli C, Gudat F, Carmann H, Lautenschlager C, Dürmüller U, Takacs B, Miggiano V, Staehelin Th, Heitz PhU (1985) Immunohistochemical characterization of an anti-epithelial monoclonal antibody (mAB lu-5). Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 407:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegelin C (1926) Das Haemangioendotheliom der Schilddrüse. In: Henke F, Lubarsch O (eds) Handbuch der speziellen pathologischen Anatomie und Histologie, Band 8. Springer, Berlin, pp 297–302

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pathology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007, St. Gallen

    F. Eckert, U. Schmid & F. Gloor

  2. Institute of Pathology, University of Zürich, University Hospital, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland

    Chr Hedinger

Authors
  1. F. Eckert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. U. Schmid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Gloor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chr Hedinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

F. Eckert was supported by the Dr. Mildred Scheel-Stiftung/ Deutsche Stiftung für Krebshilfe. U. Schmid was supported by the Krebsliga St. Gallen/Appenzell

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Eckert, F., Schmid, U., Gloor, F. et al. Evidence of vascular differentiation in anaplastic tumours of the thyroid - An immunohistological study. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 410, 203–215 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00710826

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00710826

Key words

Search

Navigation