Value of BCA-225 in the cytologic diagnosis of malignant effusions: an immunocytochemical study of 197 cases.

Abstract

An immunocytochemical study of routinely prepared paraffin embedded cell block material from 72 effusions containing adenocarcinoma and 125 benign effusions was performed using a commercially available monoclonal antibody to the breast carcinoma associated glycoprotein BCA-225. Positive staining was observed in cells in 77.8% of the malignant effusions but not in any of the benign effusions. We conclude that BCA-225 is a highly specific and very useful discriminator in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and reactive mesothelial cells. However, because this marker is not expressed in all adenocarcinomas, studies with a panel of antibodies will provide better sensitivity.

• Authors: T S Loy, A A Diaz-Arias, J T Bickel
• Journal: Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc (Mod Pathol) Vol. 3 Issue 3 Pg. 294-7 (May 1990) ISSN: 0893-3952 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2194212 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• BCA 225 protein, human
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Glycoproteins

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (diagnosis)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Ascitic Fluid (cytology)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Cytodiagnosis (methods)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Epithelium (pathology)
• Glycoproteins (analysis)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Pleural Effusion (pathology)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Retrospective Studies