Objectives: Immunohistochemical expression of CK19 and CD56 was studied in the differential diagnosis of thyroid tumors as Papillary Carcinoma is the most common thyroid cancer which needs to be differentiated from other Benign follicular lesions and to identify Follicular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CK19 and CD56 and its correlation with histopathological profile of thyroid tumors.

Methods: The study was carried out at SGT Medical College and Hospital, Gurugram which included 24 cases of thyroidectomy specimens (including Follicular Adenoma, Hurthle Cell Adenoma, Papillary Carcinoma) over a time period of two years. Cases of Follicular Carcinoma and Hurthle Cell Carcinoma were also included. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for CK19 and CD 56 were done as per standard protocol.

Results: The positive expression of CK19 in patients with Papillary Carcinoma was significantly higher than other thyroid lesions. CD56 expression was seen in 41% of benign neoplasms and in 8.4% of malignant neoplasms, out of all Neoplastic lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of CK19 and CD 56 found out to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: Expression of CK19 and CD56 is helpful in differentiating Papillary Carcinoma from other thyroid tumors.

Keywords: Benign thyroid lesions, CD56, CK19, Papillary carcinoma, Thyroid tumors.

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Dr. Niti Dalal

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