Onkológia 5/2014

Importance of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease

The authors present the knowledge of morphology and origin of cells of trophoblast. Development of immunohistochemistry allowed the identification of various proteins, enzymes and hormones in the examined tissue. Antibodies against antigens like cytokeratins, (coctail of cytokeratines AE1/3, low molecular weight cytokeratines CK8, CK18), HSD3B1, Ki-67, cyclin E, HCG, HPL, inhibín-α and protein p57 are used in immunohistochemical analysis of non-neoplastic and neoplastic trophoblastic lesions. Their different expression in trophoblast cells is important and crucial for exact histopathologic diagnosis. Histopathologic diagnosis with clinical findings is absolutely necessary for thetherapy, prognosis and further management of patients with this rare disease.

Keywords: cytotrophoblast, intermediate trophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, gestational trophoblastic disease, immunohistochemistry, trophogram.