Neurosurgery notes/Tumours/Tumour general/Brain tumour markers

Brain tumour markers

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Tumour general
Tumor markers are substances found in the blood, urine, or body tissues that can be elevated in
cancer, and are identified by immunohistochemical techniques. Identification of certain antigens specific for particular tumors help in the diagnosis of brain tumors.
  • Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a marker for astrocytic tumors.
  • S-100 has a similar distribution as GFAP, but is more localized in Schwann cells.
  • Cytokeratin is a marker for metastatic carcinoma.
  • Synaptophysin is a marker for neuronal tumors.
  • HMB45 is a marker for malignant melanoma.
  • Ki-67 is a marker of proliferation of various tumors.
  • Loss of heterozygosity markers is often important in oligodendrogliomas (1p and 19q).
  • AFP and human chorionic gonadotrophin are markers for yolk sac tumors and choriocarcinomas, respectively
  • Inference matrix.
      • GFAP
      OLIG2
      CKᵃ
      Classification
      +
      +
      -
      GLI-M
      +
      -
      -
      ㅤ
      -
      +
      -
      ㅤ
      -
      -
      +
      EPI-M
      -
      -
      -
      NGCM/NBT/HD
      (Any other findings)
      (Any other findings)
      (Any other findings)
      Indeterminate
    • The inference matrix shows the various marker expression statuses and the predictions. Primary classification of samples is based on expression of GFAP and OLIG2. The matrix also explains the classification in a subset of samples where CK was used in addition to the above markers.
    • Abbreviations: EPI-M, epithelial malignancy with brain metastases; GLI-M, glial malignancy; HD, healthy (asymptomatic) donors; NBT, non-malignant brain tumour; NGCM, non-glial central nervous system malignancy.
    • ᵃFor the subset of samples where CK was evaluated.