Immunohistochemistry for small cell carcinoma: a potential diagnostic pitfall

Abstract

The morphological appearances of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) are often characteristic however immunohistochemistry (IHC) is frequently employed to support the diagnosis, especially when there is crush artefact. In general histopathologists look for expression of cytokeratins, CD56 and TTF1 but it is well recognised that SCLC may not show typical staining reactions. While CD56 is usually expressed TTF1 may be negative and cytokeratin staining may be very focal or even absent. We report three cases of mediastinal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma who presented with radiological features of lung cancer where the morphological and immunohistochemical profile mimicked SCLC.

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