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01-08-2009 | Original Article

Clinical relevance of neuroendocrine differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer assessed by immunohistochemistry: a retrospective study on 405 surgically resected cases

Authors: William Sterlacci, Michael Fiegl, Wolfgang Hilbe, Jutta Auberger, Gregor Mikuz, Alexandar Tzankov

Published in: Virchows Archiv | Issue 2/2009

Abstract

Neuroendocrine differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer is a common feature, which has caused contradictory conclusions concerning survival estimates and responsiveness to therapy. Aiming to clarify this conflict, we analyzed neuroendocrine differentiation by immunohistochemistry in 405 surgically resected non-small cell lung carcinomas using standardized tissue microarray platform and the currently recommended antibody panel consisting of chromogranin-A, synaptophysin, and neural-cell adhesion molecule. Diagnostic criteria provided by the World Health Organization were applied. Histological subtypes were primarily reclassified according to current guidelines, assisted by auxiliary immunohistochemistry. Extensive clinical data was acquired, enabling detailed clinicopathological correlation. Importantly, neuroendocrine differentiation assessed by immunohistochemistry showed no significant relation to overall survival estimates, which remained unaffected by histological subtype, neuroendocrine marker type, adjuvant therapy, and recurring disease. The only exception was a small group consisting of three large cell carcinomas, each expressing all three neuroendocrine markers and demonstrating decreased survival. In conclusion, additional immunohistochemical detection of neuroendocrine differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer is presently not of prognostic importance and does not justify a distinct consideration.

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Title: Clinical relevance of neuroendocrine differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer assessed by immunohistochemistry: a retrospective study on 405 surgically resected cases
Authors: William Sterlacci
Michael Fiegl
Wolfgang Hilbe
Jutta Auberger
Gregor Mikuz
Alexandar Tzankov
Publication date: 01-08-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Virchows Archiv / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0945-6317
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2307
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-009-0812-0

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Clinical relevance of neuroendocrine differentiation in non-small cell lung cancer assessed by immunohistochemistry: a retrospective study on 405 surgically resected cases

Abstract

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Abstract

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