Tumor markers in parotid gland carcinomas: immunohistochemical investigations.

Substances with "marker" characteristics for tumors were studied in parotid gland neoplasms. The substances included intermediate-sized filaments, oncofetal and proliferation antigens, metalloproteins, antigens related to the blood group system, and enzymes and other cellular products. The immunoperoxidase technique was applied on the following kind of tissues: normal parotid glands, Morbus Sjögren, cystadenolymphomas, pleomorphic adenomas, adenocarcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, salivary duct carcinomas, mucoepidermoid tumors, squamous cell carcinomas, and anaplastic carcinomas. The intermediate-sized filaments of the prekeratin type were demonstrated in the ducts and myoepithelial cells of the normal parotid glands, and in the epithelial tumors, which all were vimentin negative. Carcinoembryonic antigen was found in squamous cell carcinomas and glandular differentiated tumors, whereas lactoferrin was detected only in a part of glandular tumors. Amylase was seen in acinic cell tumors.