Expression of Epithelial Membrane Antigen and Secretory Component in Carcinomas of the Laryngeal Ventricle, Epiglottis and Vocal Cord

Abstract

Expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and secretory component (SC) in 11 laryngeal carcinomas from the laryngeal ventricle was studied immunohistochemically and the results were compared with findings in carcinomas originating from the epiglottis and vocal cord. EMA was almost constantly present in laryngeal carcinomas of each type, while the expression of SC was observed in 7 of 11 (64%) ventricle carcinomas, 9 of 34 (26%) carcinomas from the epiglottis and 2 of 11 (18%) carcinomas from the vocal cord. In 4 ventricle carcinomas, immunostaining for SC was intense. It would appear that some carcinomas in the laryngeal ventricle originate from cells of the secretory glandular acini or the epithelium.

Key Words:

• laryngeal carcinoma
• ventricle
• EMA
• SC
• immunohistology