Lectin Histochemistry of Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors and Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovaries

Abstract

Binding sites of peanut agglutinin (PNA), Ulex euwpaeus (UEA-1), concanavalin A (Con A), and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were localized in 10 granulosa cell tumors, 10 Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, 4 theca cell tumors, and 5 small cell carcinomas. Con A and WGA reacted positively with the majority of the studied neoplasms. PNA and UEA-1 were persistently negative in the sex cord-stromal tumors (SCST) but showed focal positivity in small cell carcinomas. Negative reactions of SCST with PNA and UEA-1 may serve for differentiation between them and common epithelial tumors that are usually PNA and UEA-1 positive.