Immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of neoplasms of the central nervous system.

The diagnosis and evaluation of neoplasms of the central nervous system frequently involves the use of immunohistochemical stains. This article reviews some of the more commonly used markers including glial fibrillary acidic protein, synaptophysin, neurofilament protein, S-100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and cytokeratin markers. The focus of the discussion is on the use of these markers including their utility in resolving differential diagnostic issues. We also review the use of p53 and a variety of cell proliferation markers including proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Ki-67, MIB-1 and their potential role as adjuncts in the grading of tumors and their potential role in predicting tumor behavior.