Immunohistochemical localization of keratin in 100 cases of squamous cell carcinoma

The keratinizing tumors are less radiosensitive and non-keratinizing are more radio responsive. This study was carried out to detect the presence of keratin in apparently non- keratinizing poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas by immunoperoxidase staining. It is a cross sectional and descriptive study conducted at King Edward Medical College, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. A total of 100 patients suffering from squamous cell carcinomas were included in the study. Both H and E and immunoperoxidase staining were performed. The results of both types of staining were compared for each case. Four groups were identified. Forty nine cases showed obvious keratinization on both H and E and immunoperoxidase staining. Twenty cases had doubtful keratinization on H and E but showed more obvious keratinizaton on immunoperoxidase staining. Ten cases were non-keratinizing on H and E as well as on immunoperoxidase analysis. Cytokeratin can be used as a tumour marker for squamous cell carcinoma. The immunohistochemical technique can help us in revising and modifying our H and E impression of a squamous cell carcinoma