Is c-kit (CD117) immunolocalization in cell block preparations useful in the differentiation of adenoid cystic carcinoma from pleomorphic adenoma?

Abstract

The authors examined the role of c-kit antigen expression in cell block material obtained by fine-needle aspiration in differentiating between adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma. It was found that c-kit expression was not restricted to adenoid cystic carcinomas; instead, c-kit was expressed in pleomorphic adenomas as well. Thus, c-kit was not useful in distinguishing between these two types of lesions.