Epithelial markers in prostatic, bladder, and colorectal cancer: an immunoperoxidase study of epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, and prostatic acid phosphatase.

Twenty prostatic adenocarcinomas, 20 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder, and 20 colorectal adenocarcinomas were stained for epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, and prostatic acid phosphatase. Polyclonal affinity purified first and second antibodies and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique were used. All of the colorectal and bladder tumours and 16/20 prostatic tumours were positive for epithelial membrane antigen. All 20 colorectal, 7/20 bladder, and 5/20 prostatic tumours stained for carcinoembryonic antigen. All of the prostatic adenocarcinomas and none of the colorectal or bladder tumours were positive for prostatic acid phosphatase. These markers may be used to discriminate between tumours arising from these sites.