Immunohistochemical demonstration of tumour associated antigens in carcinoma‐in‐situ of the testis

Abstract

Atypical germ cells or so-called carcinoma-in-situ of the testis are often found in the tissue adjacent to germ cell tumours. The present study was performed to investigate if tumour associated antigens demonstrated immunohistochemically in the tumours could also be demonstrated in the carcinoma-in-situ. Using indirect immunoperoxidase technique 39 orchidectomy specimens were examined for the presence of a series of antigens: alpha-foetoprotein (AFP), alpha -antitrypsin (A AT), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). specific pregnancy β-glycoprotein (SP ), human placental lactogen (hPL), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and ferritin (FER). FER was demonstrated in the atypical cells in 24/29 cases of carcinoma-in-situ of the testis. HCG was demonstrated in intratubular syncytiotrophoblast-like cells in one case and in atypical germ cells in another specimen. No staining reaction was found for the other antigens investigated Normal germinal epithelium and germinal epithelium in non-malignant pathological changes of the testis were never stained. These findings which indicate that FER may be a possible marker of carcinoma-in-situ of the testis is of utmost interest, however investigation of a larger series is mandatory.