Mucin histochemistry in tumours of colon, ovaries and lung

Abstract

Aim: To confirm the presence of mucin production using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain as the gold standard and to describe the types of mucins produced in tumours of lung, colon and ovaries using various types of histochemical techniques. Methods: The resection specimens and biopsies from tumours of colon (n=16), ovaries (n=13) and lung (n=5) were included and stained with H & E to determin the histological diagnosis for selecting tissues with mucin production. Slides were stained with PAS, Alcian blue, High iron diamine - Alcian blue, Meyer's mucicarmine and Alcian blue - PAS to demonstrate the mucin production and to identify types of mucins. Results: In the present study we observed predominance of acid mucins over neutral mucins. In addition in these cases we observed sulphomucin predominating over sialomucin. Conclusion: Mucin histochemistry can effectively determine the types of mucins.