Immunohistochemical demonstration of ceruloplasmin in follicular adenomas and thyroid carcinomas

Abstract

The presence of ceruloplasmin in follicular adenomas (15 cases) and thyroid carcinomas (39) and two Hürthle cell tumours was investigated by immunohistochemical methods. Follicular adenomas were all negative whereas Hürthle cell tumours, follicular and papillary carcinomas exhibited various degrees of cytoplasmic positivity for ceruloplasmin. Highly atypical multinucleated cells and incorporated follicular structures observed in anaplastic carcinomas were positively stained; the spindle cell variety of these cancers was always negative for ceruloplasmin. Medullary carcinomas and normal thyroid tissue were constantly unstained. The distribution pattern of ceruloplasmin is the same as that of lactoferrin, a marker recently proposed for the differential diagnosis between follicular adenomas and thyroid carcinomas; these two glycoproteins are structurally related.

Measurement of vascularity as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for well differentiated thyroid tumours: comparison of different methods of assessing vascularity.

“…While the demonstration of capsular or vascular invasion is still regarded as the gold standard for defining a follicular carcinoma, 1 there have been several attempts-as yet unsuccessful-to develop a practical tool which can reliably diVerentiate between benign and malignant follicular tumours. [2][3][4] Tumour neovascularisation is thought to play a key role in metastasis. 5 It is therefore possible, in view of their metastatic potential, that follicular carcinomas are more vascular than follicular adenomas.…”

Staining for Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidase IV Activity in Nodular Thyroid Diseases

“…2,3,18,19,21,22 Thyroglobulin is considered the most important tumor marker of thyroid origin, but it is not useful for the distinction of malignant from benign tumors. 2,3 Other markers, such as lactoferrin, 21 lectin, 19 keratin 18 and ceruloplasmin, 22 have also been reported to be reliable, but none of them is specific in the detection of thyroid tumors. Recently, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DAP IV) activity staining has been found to be elevated in thyroid cancers, and so DAP IV activity may be a good index of malignancy in thyroid disease.…”

Lactoferrin in Thyroid Lesions

“…30,31,34,36,[38][39][40][41]43,44 ; although some puzzling questions regarding differential diagnoses were promptly solved, most antisera tested have given disappointing results in the differential diagnosis of primary thyroid lesions.…”