[Immunohistochemical sex cord markers. Description and use in the differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors]

Abstract

Sex cord markers comprise proteins and hormones that are produced in sex cord-derivatives in normal ovaries and testes as well as in gonadal sex cord-stromal tumors. Sex cord markers (e.g. inhibin-alpha) are used clinically as serum tumor markers. Immunohistochemical staining of sex cord markers may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors versus surface epithelial-stromal tumors, germ cell tumors, other ovarian tumors, and ovarian metastases. Inhibin-alpha has been shown to be the most specific marker of sex cord differentiation. In comparison, calretinin is a somewhat more sensitive albeit less specific marker. Currently, an immunohistochemical panel including inhibin-alpha and calretinin is considered most helpful in the differential diagnosis of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors. CD99, Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS), melan A and CD10, being sex cord markers of limited sensitivity and specificity, should only be used as part of an antibody panel in specific diagnostic settings. EMA, CK7 and chromogranin are considered additional markers that may be useful in the differential diagnosis of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors.