CK 17 immunoexpression in actinic keratosis (bowenoid and non-bowenoid) and in Bowen disease

Cytokeratin (CK) 17 immunoexpression has been investigated in non-melanoma skin cancer as well as in many pre-invasive epithelial malignancies. However, there is not any previous study of CK 17 immunoexpression in actinic keratosis (AK) or Bowen disease in non-immunocompromised patients. We evaluate CK17 immunoexpression in 20 cases of AK (10 non-bowenoid and 10 bowenoid) as well as in 10 cases of Bowen disease. We identified expression of CK17 in the superficial layers above the atypical foci. In some cases there were foci of expression by the full thickness of the epidermis, which was the predominant pattern in very few cases (one Bowen disease and one bowenoid AK).
Source: Annals of Diagnostic Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Original Contributions Source Type: research