Flow Cytometry of Nonhematopoietic Neoplasms

Many epithelial neoplasms can be analyzed by flow cytometry (FC), particularly from serous cavity effusion samples, using EpCAM, a cell adhesion molecule expressed on most normal epithelial cells and expressed at a higher level in most epithelial neoplasms. A simple 3-color flow cytometric panel can provide a high sensitivity and specificity compared to cytomorphology. FC provides more rapid immunophenotyping than conventional immunohistochemical staining, can identify rare malignant cells that could be missed by a cytological exam alone, and can be utilized to evaluate limited samples such as cerebrospinal fluid or fineneedle aspiration samples. Flow cytometric analysis for epithelial antigens can be combined with DNA ploidy analysis or assessment of the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio. Panels of flow cytometric markers are useful for the assessment of pediatric nonhematopoietic neoplasms, including neuroblasReceived: June 13, 2016 Accepted after revision: July 12, 2016 Published online: August 27, 2016 Correspondence to: Dr. David M. Dorfman Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital 75 Francis Street Boston, MA 02115 (USA) E-Mail ddorfman @ partners.org © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel 0001–5547/16/0604–0336$39.50/0