Expression of the p40 isoform of p63 has high specificity for cutaneous sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma.

摘要: Cutaneous spindle cell malignancies such as sarcomatoid squamous carcinoma (SCC), leiomyosarcoma, desmoplastic melanoma (DM) and atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) may be morphologically indistinguishable, yet accurate diagnosis is important for appropriate clinical management. The distinction among these entities relies on immunohistochemical evaluation epidermal, muscle or melanocytic differentiation. Epidermal differentiation markers include cytokeratins p63. p63 expressed two distinct isoforms, ΔNp63 (p40) TAp63. p40 positivity highly specific pulmonary SCC head neck SCC. We examined the utility of vs. immunostaining in a variety cutaneous malignancies, including (n = 27), AFX 34) DM 10). was less sensitive than detecting (56% 81%, respectively). were comparably relative to AFX, with only rare weak staining tumor cells and/or minority cases, one case approximately 10% weakly p40. All cases negative Our results support continued use because greater sensitivity