Overlapping immunohistochemical features of adenocarcinoma of the nonpigmented ciliary body epithelium and renal cell carcinoma
Author Department
Pathology
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
1-2021
Abstract
Purpose: To find immunohistochemical markers that distinguish adenocarcinoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE) from metastatic carcinoma, especially metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Design: Retrospective case series.
Method: Three cases of adenocarcinoma of the NPCE were examined histologically with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical stains including vimentin, AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, CK7, PAX2, PAX8, AMACR, and CAIX. We also reviewed previously reported cases of this tumor.
Result: We found that the immunohistochemical profile of adenocarcinoma of the NPCE can overlap with renal cell carcinoma. Both tumors can express vimentin, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, Cam 5.2, PAX2, PAX8, and AMACR. One of the adenocarcinomas of the NPCE in our series also expressed CD10 and the renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC Ma). Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) was not detected in any of the three tumors.
Conclusion: Adenocarcinomas arising in phthisical eyes can be diagnostically challenging. We have found it particularly difficult to distinguish adenocarcinoma of the NPCE from metastatic carcinoma, especially metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma. Because of the immunophenotypic overlap, most patients will require systemic workup including imaging of the kidneys to be certain of the diagnosis.
Recommended Citation
Hanbazazh M, Barrantes PC, DeVience E, Rana BA, Jadhav N, Gyure K, Grossniklaus HE, Thuro BA, Henneberry J, Milman T, Eagle RC Jr, Shields CL, Shields JA, Dryja TP. Overlapping immunohistochemical features of adenocarcinoma of the nonpigmented ciliary body epithelium and renal cell carcinoma. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jan 30:S0002-9394(21)00041-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.01.020. Epub ahead of print.
PMID
33529584