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Immunohistochemically detectable thyroglobulin expression in extrathyroidal cancer is 100% specific for thyroidal tumor origin.

Authors :
Steurer, Stefan
Schneider, Jana
Büscheck, Franziska
Luebke, Andreas M.
Kluth, Martina
Hube-Magg, Claudia
Hinsch, Andrea
Höflmayer, Doris
Weidemann, Sören
Fraune, Christoph
Möller, Katharina
Menz, Anne
Bernreuther, Christian
Lebok, Patrick
Sauter, Guido
Simon, Ronald
Jacobsen, Frank
Uhlig, Ria
Wilczak, Waldemar
Minner, Sarah
Source :
Annals of Diagnostic Pathology; Oct2021, Vol. 54, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Thyroglobulin is a secreted 660 kDa glycoprotein produced by thyroid follicular cells used in diagnostic pathology to secure or exclude a thyroidal origin of metastases of unknown primary tumors. This study was performed to estimate specificity of thyroglobulin immunohistochemistry. 9974 tumor samples from 109 different tumor types and subtypes as well as 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray format. Thyroglobulin was strongly expressed in all normal thyroid samples but not in any other normal tissues. Thyroglobulin immunostaining was detected in 99.1% of 106 thyroid adenomas, 98.1% of 364 papillary, 95.2% of 147 follicular, and 7.5% of 40 anaplastic thyroid cancers. Twelve of 15 thyroid samples that were thyroglobulin negative on TMAs showed at least a weak focal thyroglobulin positivity in corresponding large sections, suggesting higher sensitivity of large section analysis. Thyroglobulin positivity in one diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the thyroid, one chondrosarcoma metastasis to the thyroid, and 42.4% of 92 medullary thyroid cancers was considered to be caused by diffusion of thyroidal colloid from destroyed or even intact adjacent follicles. Thyroglobulin positivity was, however, not seen in 6403 extrathyroidal tumors from 104 different tumor types and subtypes. Our data demonstrate a complete specificity of positive thyroglobulin immunostaining for thyroid origin in tumor tissues obtained from extrathyroidal locations. However, for all tumors located within the thyroid, false positivity can occur as a result of tissue contamination by thyroglobulin rich thyroid colloid from adjacent normal tissue. • More than 9,000 tissue samples from 109 different tumor types and 76 non-neoplastic tissues were evaluated. • Thyroglobulin was strongly expressed in all normal thyroid samples but not in any other normal tissue type. • Positive thyroglobulin immunostaining is highly specific for a thyroid origin of tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10929134
Volume :
54
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
152535289
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2021.151793