Utility of Prostatic Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Adenocarcinomas Not Otherwise Specified from metastatic Tumours of the Oral Cavity

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and [ alpha]methylacyl-CoA racemase gene ( P504S) in normal salivary glands and adenocarcinomas not otherwise specified (NOS). Material & Methods: Tissue specimens of 18 normal salivary glands and 22 cases of adenocarcinomas NOS of the oral cavity, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded were studied by using monoclonal antibodies for PSA, PAP and P504S. Results: Positive staining for PSA was detected with one of the two used monoclonal antibodies in normal salivary glands (89%) and adenocarcinomas NOS ( 45.45%) whereas negative staining was observed for PAP and P504S. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the detection of prostatic markers such as PAP, P504s with the use of monoclonal antibodies may offer an adjunctive aid in the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinomas NOS from metastatic carcinomas, when the origin of the primary tumours is unknown.