INSM1 Expression in Chordomas

Am J Clin Pathol. 2021 Aug 4;156(3):334-339. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa250.

Abstract

Objectives: Chordomas are rare malignant tumors with a broad differential diagnosis, including chondrosarcomas and metastatic carcinomas. Recently, insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) has gained great interest regarding the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors but also extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. However, its expression in chordomas remains largely unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 57 chordomas for INSM1 expression.

Results: INSM1 expression was found in only 5% of tumors.

Conclusions: This marker is rarely expressed in this type of tumor, raising questions about neuroendocrine differentiation.

Keywords: Chondrosarcoma; Chordoma; Differential diagnosis; Immunohistochemistry; Neuroendocrine.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Child
  • Chondrosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Chondrosarcoma / pathology
  • Chordoma / diagnosis*
  • Chordoma / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnosis*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Repressor Proteins
  • INSM1 protein, human

Supplementary concepts

  • Chondrosarcoma, Extraskeletal Myxoid

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