Spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus: an analysis of 17 cases, with new immunohistochemical evidence for a clonal origin

Citation
A. Handra-luca et al., Spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus: an analysis of 17 cases, with new immunohistochemical evidence for a clonal origin, HISTOPATHOL, 39(2), 2001, pp. 125-132
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Research/Laboratory Medicine & Medical Tecnology","Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
HISTOPATHOLOGY
ISSN journal
03090167 → ACNP
Volume
39
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
125 - 132
Database
ISI
SICI code
0309-0167(200108)39:2<125:SCSCOT>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
Aims: To study the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus, in order better to unde rstand the histogenesis of this tumour. Methods and results: In this study we analysed the morphological and immuno histochemical characteristics of 17 cases of spindle cell squamous carcinom a of the oesophagus. Most tumours were polypoid, but tumours with an ulcera ted and infiltrative pattern were also observed. Histologically, most tumou rs were of superficial type, with a characteristic morphological aspect con sisting of two types of tumour cells, i.e. differentiated squamous cells, a nd spindle cells with transition zones between the two components. On immun ohistochemistry, the squamous cells were positive for cytokeratin and the s pindle cells showed variable expression of cytokeratin, vimentin and smooth muscle actin. p53 protein was over-expressed in 10 cases, both tumour cell types showing strong nuclear positivity. In most tumours, E-cadherin was e xpressed in the squamous cells and absent in the spindle cells. Conclusions: The similar pattern of p53 protein expression in the two tumou r cell types of spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus suggests their common origin. The change in adhesion molecule expression with loss o f E-cadherin expression may be associated with the acquisition of spindle c ell morphology by the squamous tumour cells.