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Unknown Primary/Undifferentiated Neosplasms in Surgical and Cytologic Specimens

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Handbook of Practical Immunohistochemistry

Abstract

This chapter provides a practical overview of ­frequently used markers in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of both common and rare metastatic tumors and undifferentiated neoplasms with a specific focus on epithelial/epithelioid neoplasms and their mimickers. The chapter contains 89 questions; each question is addressed with a table, a concise note, and representative pictures if applicable. In addition to the literature review, the authors have included their own experience and tested numerous antibodies reported in the literature for a wide range of entities from various organs on both TMA sections and routine sections. The most effective differential diagnostic panels of antibodies have been recommended for many entities, such as TTF1, MOC-31, CEA, calretinin, WT1, and CK5/6 being suggested as the best diagnostic panel for the distinction of pulmonary adenocarcinoma from mesothelioma. In addition, frequently asked questions on differential diagnosis of fine needle aspiration biopsy specimens have been included. Application and potential pitfalls of some important markers have been emphasized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA, 17822, USA

    Fan Lin

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  1. Fan Lin
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  2. Haiyan Liu
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Correspondence to Fan Lin .

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  1. , Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Health System, 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville, 17822, Pennsylvania, USA

    Fan Lin

  2. , Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville, 17822, Pennsylvania, USA

    Jeffrey Prichard

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Lin, F., Liu, H. (2011). Unknown Primary/Undifferentiated Neosplasms in Surgical and Cytologic Specimens. In: Lin, F., Prichard, J. (eds) Handbook of Practical Immunohistochemistry. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8062-5_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8062-5_7

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