Diagnostic applications of immunohistochemistry to thyroid tumors

Application of immunohistochemical methods has greatly contributed to diagn ostic thyroid pathology, especially to the diagnosis of thyroid tumors. The se techniques can demonstrate specific markers for follicular and C (parafo llicular) cells and their tumors. Therefore, they facilitate defining the s pectrum of thyroid tumors, and also are useful for the distinction between tumors of different histogenesis. In this paper, we reviewed thyroid specif ic proteins and compounds as immunohistochemical markers, i.e. thyroglobuli n (TG), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroperoxidase (TPO), TSH r eceptor (TSHR), Nail symporter (NIS), thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1 ), and calcitonin. In addition, we also reviewed intermediate filaments and other proteins having a considerable diagnostic value in thyroid tumor pat hology.