ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Epithelial membrane antigen in differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, metastatic adenocarcinoma, and reactive mesothelial hyperplasia
Sibel Arslan1, Kemal Bakır2, Levent Elbeyli3
1Department of Pathology, Gaziantep Şehitkamil State Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
2Departments of Pathology, Medical Faculty of Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
3Departments of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Faculty of Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2016.11606
Background: This study aims to investigate the usefulness of epithelial membrane antigen immunohistochemical marker in differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, and metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: In this study, 67 malignant mesothelioma, 18 reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, and 33 metastatic adenocarcinoma specimens were examined and stained with epithelial membrane antigen.

Results: Staining with epithelial membrane antigen was observed in 45 of 67 malignant mesotheliomas cases (68.7%) and all the metastatic adenocarcinoma cases (100%). All metastatic adenocarcinomas showed prominently expressed epithelial membrane antigen, whereas weak positivity with epithelial membrane antigen was detected in only one case with reactive mesothelial hyperplasia. Metastatic adenocarcinoma showed a statistically significantly stronger expression compared to mesothelial hyperplasia (p<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity for malignant and benign cases were 78% and 94%, respectively.

Conclusion: Epithelial membrane antigen is a useful positive marker of malignant mesothelioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma. Also, it plays a significant role in distinguishing neoplastic mesothelium from non-neoplastic mesothelium.

Keywords : Epithelial membrane antigen; malignant mesothelioma; metastatic adenocarcinoma; reactive mesothelial hyperplasia
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