Neuroendocrine carcinomas: Role of immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy

Neuroendocrine tumors occur in many sites of the body and can present signi ficant diagnostic problems when poorly differentiated. To identify a tumor as neuroendocrine, pathologists commonly use either immunocytochemistry or electron microscopy. In this report, the various immunocytochemical reagent s are reviewed along with the ultrastructural features of neuroendocrine tu mors. Site-specific variations in neuroendocrine tumors are discussed. A co st-effectiveness evaluation was performed on tumors from one laboratory whi ch showed that electron microscopy was a less expensive diagnostic modality if more than three antibodies were necessary to arrive at the correct path ological diagnosis. HUM PATHOL 29:1367-1371. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Sau nders Company.