In an unselected series of 32 biopsies of pulmonary neoplasms comprising 25 with neuroendocrine differentiation (11 carcinoids, 9 small cell cancers, and 5 undifferentiated carcinomas) a panel of antibodies (chromogranin-CG, neuron specific enolasis-NSE, S-100 protein, serotonin, bombesin, cytokeratins AE1-3, CAM5.2, epithelial membrane antigen-EMA) was used. This set was compared with results in another series of 7 non-small cell cancers (4 spinocellular and 3 adenomatous). The results of investigation of both the series were in agreement with the fact that there is no completely satisfactory marker of neuroendocrine differentiation. That is the reason why it is the best to use a spectrum of antibodies even in the routine praxis, as the proof of this differentiation in a neoplasm is most important for the differential diagnosis as well as for the therapy and prognosis.

2 patologicko anatomický ústav 1 lékarské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy Praha Czech Republic