Immunohistochemical pitfalls in prostate pathology.

The diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma relies on a constellation of architectural, cytological, and immunohistochemical features. Although the diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma is straightforward in most cases, due to earlier detection of the disease in the modern era, pathologists have become increasingly challenged in diagnosing small foci of cancer when only a few atypical glands are present in needle biopsies. Immunohistochemistry has therefore become an essential tool in the evaluation of such foci to confirm the absence of basal cells. [...] We herein review the utility as well as the limitations of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma, and we describe the most important pitfalls in the interpretation of various immunostains that pathologists should be aware of to minimize misdiagnoses.

Dall' Abstract di Brimo F, Epstein JI. Immunohistochemical pitfalls in prostate pathology.


Bibliografia:


Brimo F, Epstein JI. Immunohistochemical pitfalls in prostate pathology. Hum Pathol. 2012 Mar;43(3):313-24.

Prostatic atrophy mimicking adenocarcinoma. Basal cell staining is patchy with some glands that are negative. Basal cells are labeled with HMWCK (red chromogen). Negative glands are otherwise identical to the positive glands, such that the entire lesion is consistent with prostatic atrophy (da Brimo F, Epstein JI. Immunohistochemical pitfalls in prostate pathology).