A Practical Approach to Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors and Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors - Histopathology

A Practical Approach to Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors and Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors- Histopathology 
 

Abstract

Immunohistochemistry can be useful in the diagnosis of ovarian germ cell tumors and sex cord-stromal tumors. A wide variety of markers are available, including many that are novel. The aim of this review is to provide a practical approach to selection and interpretation of these markers, emphasizing an understanding of their sensitivity and specificity in the particular differential diagnosis in question. The main markers discussed include those for malignant germ cell differentiation (SALL4, PLAP), dysgerminoma (OCT4, CD117, D2-40), yolk sac tumor (AFP, Glypican-3), embryonal carcinoma (OCT4, CD30, SOX2), sex cord-stromal differentiation (calretinin, inhibin, SF-1, FOXL2) and steroid cell tumors (MelanA). In addition, the limited role of immunohistochemistry in determining the primary site of origin of an ovarian carcinoid tumor is discussed.