Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue block

Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block

FFPE tissue section mounted on a charged, unstained slide

Ambient (preferred)

• Unlabeled/mislabeled block
• Insufficient tissue
• Slides broken beyond repair

Immunohistochemical staining and microscopic examination

If requested, an interpretive report will be provided

Specifications

• P57 is a cell cycle inhibitor and tumor suppressor, which is encoded by a maternally imprinted gene
• P57 is a negative regulator of cell proliferation
• This antibody is useful in distinguishing complete hydatidiform moles from other types of hydropic conceptuses (including hydropic/spontaneous abortuses and partial hydatidiform moles)

Comments

If complete hydatidiform mole is present:

Microscopic sections show variably sized villi, virtually all of which are swollen and enlarged with cerebriform contours and cleft-like cisternae, associated with prominent intervillous trophoblastic proliferation. The morphology is quite suggestive of a molar pregnancy. Immunohistochemistry stains for P57 antigen are performed and are negative in the villous mesenchyme and cytotrophoblast, with appropriate positive staining in the intervillous trophoblastic islands, confirming the diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole. Thus, careful follow up with serial serum HCG levels is recommended to ensure that the levels return to normal.

These results are discussed with Dr. ____ and the report is faxed on _____/

or

If the differential is between spontaneous abortion and partial hydatidiform mole:

Microscopic sections show swollen villi with a mild degree of trophoblastic proliferation. A P57 immunohistochemical stain is performed, to exclude the possibility of a complete hydatidiform mole. This stain shows positive staining within cytotrophoblast, villous mesenchyme, and intervillous trophoblastic islands, excluding the possibility of a complete hydatidiform mole. Thus, the differential diagnosis of this case includes a spontaneous abortion with hydropic changes vs. a partial hydatidiform mole. Therefore, a paraffin block will be submitted for flow cytometry studies to determine whether or not this tissue is diploid (hydropic POC) or triploid (partial hydatidiform mole). The final diagnosis will be deferred pending the flow cytometry studies. An addendum report will follow.

Staining pattern

• Nuclear based staining
• The determination of the type of cells that are staining for this marker is crucial for interpretation (i.e. cytotrophoblast, vs. villous mesenchyme, vs. intervillous trophoblastic island staining)

References

1. Castrillon DH et al: Discrimination of complete hydatidiform mole from its mimics by immunohistochemistry of the paternally imprinted gene product P57. Am J Surg Pathol 25(10): 1225-1230, 2001.