The basement membranes in sarcomatoid carcinomas. An immunohistochemical study
Guarino, M.; Squillaci, S.; Reale, D.; Micoli, G.
Tumori 79(2): 128-132
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 8346565 Document Number: 416746
Aims: Eight sarcomatoid carcinomas from various anatomical locations were investigated by immunohistochemical staining to laminin, type IV collagen and heparan sulfate proteoglycan, to study the characteristics of basement membranes at the interface between carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissues. Methods: Paraffin wax embedded tissue sections from representative tumor samples have been stained with specific antibodies, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Results: In all cases several interruptions or discontinuities of the basement membrane staining pattern were seen. In 4 cases, larger defects or complete loss of staining was also noted. At these places, the boundaries between carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissue were often blurred. Conclusions: Disruption and loss of basement membranes at interface between carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissues is a frequent finding is sarcomatoid carcinomas. These changes could be consistent with an epithelial origin of the sarcomatous component in these tumors by mens of an epithelial-mesenchymal conversion mechanism.