Open AccessClinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Goblet Cell Type Adenocarcinoma of the Lung
Author(s) -
Gemma Akihiko,
Noguchi Masayuki,
Hirohashi Setsuo,
Tsugane Shoichiro,
Tsuchiya Ryosuke,
Niitani Hisanobu,
Shimosato Yukio
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
acta patholigica japonica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 0001-6632
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1991.tb03345.x
Subject(s) - pathology , immunohistochemistry , adenocarcinoma , lung , goblet cell , medicine , epithelium , cancer
Twenty‐two resected goblet cell type adenocarcinomas of the lung were examined clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. The stage and survival curve of goblet cell type adenocarcinomas were compared with those of 44 cases of pure or mixed Clara cell and bronchial surface epithelial cell (Clara and BSE) type adenocarcinomas. Each case of goblet cell type was matched with two cases of Clara and BSE type as to sex, age and date of surgery. In goblet cell type adenocarcinomas, lymph node metastasis was less frequently and intrapulmonary metastasis was more frequently detected than in other types of adenocarcinomas (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Goblet cell type adenocarcinomas showed better prognoses than Clara and BSE type adenocarcinomas. However, the estimated survival curves of those two groups become similar after adjustment of the TNM condition using Cox's proportional‐hazard general linear model. This result indicated that the longer survival of goblet cell type adenocarcinoma was due to the characteristic distribution of TNM conditions, that is, unique local growth and low incidence of lymph node metastasis. When goblet cell type adenocarcinoma was macroscopically classified into two types, i.e. solitary peripheral nodule type (nodular type) and multifocal nodular type or consolidation of all or part of a lobe (diffuse type), the nodular type had better prognosis than the diffuse type (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemically, 83%, 11%, and 0% of goblet cell type adenocarcinomas were positive for NCC‐CO‐450, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and surfactant apoprotein, respectively. Most Clara and BSE type adenocarcinomas were negative for NCC‐CO‐450, but positive for CEA and surfactant apoprotein. NCC‐CO‐450 was considered to be a good immunohistochemical marker of goblet cell type adenocarcinoma of the lung. These results indicated that goblet cell type tumors are different from most adenocarcinomas of other types both clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 737‐743, 1991.