Small intestinal adenocarcinoma: cytokeratins 7 and 20

Normal small intestinal epithelium, like that of the large intestine, is strongly and diffusely positive for CK20 but negative for CK7. When an adenomatous component is present, it shows the same profile as the invasive component:

 

CK7

CK20

  

number of cases

241, 232

  

negative (<10%of cells)

0/241, 15/232

8/241, 12/232

  

10-25% of cells

5/241

2/241

  

26-50% of cells

6/241

6/241

  

>50% of cells

13/241

8/241

  

positive, NOS

8/232

11/232

  
       

This difference in cytokeratin profile between small and large intestinal adenocarcinomas is surprising. P504S may also be helpful in differentiating small from large intestinal adenocarcinomas.

References

1Chen, Z. M. and H. L. Wang (2004). "Alteration of cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 20 expression profile is uniquely associated with tumorigenesis of primary adenocarcinoma of the small intestine." Am J Surg Pathol 28(10): 1352-9.

2Lee, M. J., H. S. Lee, et al. (2003). "Expression of mucins and cytokeratins in primary carcinomas of the digestive system." Mod Pathol 16(5): 403-10.

 

This page last revised 12.11.2004.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop