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Granular cell tumors: evidence for heterogeneous tumor cell differentiation

An immunocytochemical study

  • Published:
Virchows Archiv B

Summary

Eighteen granular cell tumors from various sites were examined with antisera directed against protein S-100, neuron specific enolase (NSE), alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and alpha-1-antitrypsin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), lysozyme, factor VIII-related antigen, myoglobin and vimentin, as well as with a monoclonal antibody (lu-5) directed against a panepithelial marker. The immunocytochemical reaction pattern of the tumors was heterogeneous. The brain and pituitary tumors and one thyroid tumor reacted for alpha-1-antichymotrypsin and alpha-1-antitrypsin, but not for S-100 protein and NSE. However, tumors from other sites showed immunoreactions for S-100 protein and NSE and some also for vimentin. Reactions for alpha-1-antichymotrypsin and alpha-1-antitrypsin were not observed. All other reactions were similarly negative. We conclude that the morphologically homogeneous group of granular cell tumors is biologically heterogeneous.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pathologie der Universität Basel, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland

    J. Ulrich, Ph. U. Heitz, T. Fischer & E. Obrist

  2. Institut für Neuropathologie der Universität, D-4400, Münster, Federal Republic of Germany

    F. Gullotta

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  1. J. Ulrich
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  2. Ph. U. Heitz
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  3. T. Fischer
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  4. E. Obrist
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  5. F. Gullotta
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Ulrich, J., Heitz, P.U., Fischer, T. et al. Granular cell tumors: evidence for heterogeneous tumor cell differentiation. Virchows Archiv B Cell Pathol 53, 52–57 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02890224

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02890224

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