Canadian Association of Pathologists - Case of the Month - December 2007
Prostate and the Triple Stain
Diagnosis:
Microfocal invasive adenocarcinoma involving less than 5% of tissue specimen, Gleason score 6/10 (3+3).Microscopic Description:
H&E staining of the prostate biopsy show two foci of infiltrating, irregularily spaced glands (see annotated photomicrograph of this case). Immunohistochemical staining for both p63 and high molecular weight cytokeratin demonstrates the presence of basal cells in benign glands ('normal staining pattern') and confirms the absence of basal cells in the malignant acini in these two suspicious foci ('abnormal staining pattern'). The malignant acini also show positive immunoreactivity with AMACR ([alpha]-methylacryl CoA racemase)/P504S, in contrast to the negative staining shown by benign glands with this marker. These features lend additional support to the diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma.
Further Information:
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Annotated photomicrograph of this case |  |
Another example of triple stain used to determine extent of involvement of biopsy by adenocarcinoma |