Identification of large cell undifferentiated tumours in lymph nodes using leucocyte common and keratin antibodies

Abstract

A total of 43 cases undifferentiated large cell tumors presenting in lymph nodes were stained by immunoperoxidase techniques using antibodies against keratin and a leukocyte-associated glycoprotein. In 26 cases diagnosed histologically as metastatic carcinoma, staining with the keratin antibody suggested a squamous cell origin in 11 cases. This was supported by microscopic observation of intracellular filaments in 7 cases. In 15 patients in whom the original diagnosis was uncertain, a definite diagnosis was possible in all cases following immunoperoxidase staining with the 2 antibodies, and most of these proved to be large cell lymphomas. In 2 cases a potentially major diagnostic error was detected. The staining of undifferentiated human neoplasms using combinations of antibodies reactive with epithelial and lymphoid cells should result in much greater diagnostic accuracy in the field of large cell tumors presenting in lymph nodes.