Cytokeratin stain positive? What does it imply?

Answer 1

Cytokeratin is a molecular feature of epithelial cells that line our body (glands, skin, throat, etc). For tumors, sometimes you can't tell the tumor type from its appearance under the microscope and special stains can be used, like cytokeratin, to decide what tumor type it may be. If it's cytokeratin positive, then it suggests it's a tumor that is a carcinoma, but not always.

Another use of cytokeratin staining is in breast cancer, where a 'sentinel' lymph node may be examined especially carefully as part of breast cancer surgery. In that case, cytokeratin stains can be done to detect individual tumor cells that may not be easily visible with the standard stains. All pathology sampling is representative and not complete but this is an extra step that can be taken to decide if a breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. However, if it is positive it may have an impact upon decisions related to surgery, drug therapy and radiation.

Discuss with your doctor(s) what implications cytokeratin positive status has specifically for you, because I can tell you each patient has different circumstances that require more complete information about the tumor, you and your preferences about treatment. Best of luck

Answer 2

Cytokeratin Stain

Answer 3

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Cytokeratin stain positive? What does it imply?

Answer 4

Staining is done to determine types of cancer (ex. carcinoma from sarcoma from lymphoma). They all stain differently thus indicating what type of cancer is present. A positive stain would indicate presence of cancer, but would need more info to know what type.

Answer 5

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