Revisiting the use of CK7 and CK20 immunohistochemical stains in pathological diagnoses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cytokeratin-7 (keratin-7; CK7) and cytokeratin-20 (keratin-20; CK20) have been among the most widely used markers in pathology for prediction of tumor site of origin or classification. However, with the increased availability of newer and more specific biomarkers and molecular techniques, it is timely to revisit the utility of CK7 and CK20 stains under different clinical settings.

Methods

In the current study, we retrospectively reviewed 612 surgical pathology cases at our institution where CK7 and/or CK20 stains were performed and determined to what degree they contributed to the final diagnosis.

Results

In CK7-and-CK20 cases, the stains had a major contribution in 5% of the cases. In CK7-only or CK20-only cases, the percentages of major contribution were

SUBMITTER: Wang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11987302 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature