CYTOKERATIN 19 IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sheela Varghese,
Associate Professor,
Department of Pathology,
Government Medical College,
Kottayam, Kerala.
E-mail: drsheelavarghese@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignant lesion of the thyroid gland. Diagnostic difficulties can be solved by the use of immunohistochemical markers. Several studies have shown conflicting results regarding the usefulness of cytokeratin 19 as a diagnostic marker in papillary carcinoma. This study was conducted to assess the role of cytokeratin 19 as a possible diagnostic marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the expression of cytokeratin 19 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and also to describe the patterns of Papillary thyroid carcinoma in Histopathology, Radiology, Cytology and clinical presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive study was conducted to assess Cytokeratin 19 immunoreactivity in papillary thyroid carcinoma specimens received in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kottayam during a period of 18 months (January 2015-June 2016). Statistical analysis done with available software.

RESULTS

Among the 32 cases of Papillary carcinoma studied, 21 (66%) were conventional type, 7 (22%) were Follicular variants and 4 (12%) were papillary microcarcinomas. Diffuse Cytokeratin 19 immunoreactivity was found in 93.75% cases. Diffuse Cytokeratin 19 staining seen in 95% cases of conventional papillary carcinoma, 85% of follicular variants of papillary carcinoma and 100% of papillary microcarcinoma. Analysis of clinical presentation of these cases revealed only previously described findings similar to previously described studies. However, the cytological findings showed a tendency to give a diagnosis of benign follicular nodule in 53% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Cytokeratin 19 showed consistent diffuse positivity in histopathology of Papillary thyroid carcinoma and its variants, which indicate the role of cytokeratin 19 as a diagnostic marker. The findings are comparable to other Indian studies on this subject.

KEYWORDS

Cytokeratin 19; Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma; Immunohistochemistry.