Document Type : Research articles
Authors
1 1 School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran 2 Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
3 Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid malignancies. For a more accurate diagnosis, immuno- histochemistry has been used widely in recent years. Epithelial membrane antigen has been detected in several benign and malig- nant lesions, and its use as a marker of malignancy has been sought in some studies.
Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the presence and level of expression of epithelial membrane antigen in papillary thyroid carcinoma and multinodular goiter.
Methods: Eighty-five samples of papillary thyroid carcinoma and 40 cases of multinodular goiter were stained histochemically for epithelial membrane antigen. The intensity of staining was classified in a semi-quantitative manner (1+ to 4+). Demographic data of the index cases, history of metastasis, and lymph node involvement, if any, were collected as well.
Results: All PTCs and 87.5% of MNGs were positive for EMA. EMA was expressed more strongly in PTCs than in MNGs (P < 0.00). EMA reactivity was directly associated with lymph node involvement, capsular invasion, and size of the tumor (P = 0.008, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). The intensity level of 2 or higher had high specificity for differentiating PTC from MNG.
Conclusions: Strong expression of EMA may be a good marker of malignancy in differentiating PTC from MNG. This marker may also be regarded as an index of invasive behavior of PTC.
Keywords
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