Practical Markers Used in the Diagnosis of Endocrine Tumors

Abstract

Endocrine tumors constitute a large group of neoplasms that are widely dispersed throughout the body. They are made up mostly of neuroendocrine tumors (NE), which are characterized by the presence of secretory granules and production of peptide hormones, and non-NE tumors such as those derived from thyroid follicular cells and adrenal cortical cells. Immunohistochemical markers have been used to characterize these lesions and distinguish them from other histologically similar tumors. Chromogranin and synaptophysin are the most widely used broad-spectrum neuroendocrine tumor markers. The use of antibodies to transcription factors, keratins, and specific peptides is quite valuable in the diagnosis of endocrine tumors. This article reviews the common markers used to characterize endocrine tumors and to recognize tumors involved in the differential diagnosis of specific lesions.

Prognostic molecular markers in cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review

“…Neuroendocrine differentiation has been shown to be of prognostic importance in several malignancies (138). In CC synaptophysin has been found to be a significant independent negative prognostic marker (139).…”

Aberrant intermediate filament and synaptophysin expression is a frequent event in malignant melanoma: an immunohistochemical study of 73 cases

“…37,38 Chromogranin A expression in normal tissues generally parallels that of synaptophysin, although it is not expressed by adrenal cortical cells. 37,38 Aberrant synaptophysin expression is generally quite unusual, but may be seen in a consi- Figure 5 Melanoma, metastastic to the small bowel (a). This case was strongly positive for S100 protein (b) and HMB45 (not shown), and in addition showed strong expression of synaptophysin (c) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (d).…”

“…36 Synaptophysin is normally expressed by neurons, endocrine and neuroendocrine cells, adrenal cortical cells and adrenocortical tumors, neuroendocrine carcinomas of various grades including Merkel cell carcinomas, paragangliomas, neuroblastomas, and esthesioneuroblastomas. 37,38 Chromogranin A, a calcium-binding granin protein, is present in the dense core granules of neural and neuroendocrine cells. 37,38 Chromogranin A expression in normal tissues generally parallels that of synaptophysin, although it is not expressed by adrenal cortical cells.…”

“…37,38 Chromogranin A, a calcium-binding granin protein, is present in the dense core granules of neural and neuroendocrine cells. 37,38 Chromogranin A expression in normal tissues generally parallels that of synaptophysin, although it is not expressed by adrenal cortical cells. 37,38 Aberrant synaptophysin expression is generally quite unusual, but may be seen in a consi- Figure 5 Melanoma, metastastic to the small bowel (a).…”

Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Analysis from a Single-institution

“…The pathological diagnosis of the NETs in this series depended on typical morphological findings and the expression of neuroendocrine markers, including chromogranin A and/or synaptophysin (Erickson et al, 2004). We used two specific antibodies to stain the tumors in our studies and confirm the diagnosis.…”