Complex and Differential Cytokeratin Profiles in Thymomas and Correlation with Normal Thymus

Cytokeratins (CKs) are characterized by highly diverse expression patterns and thus serve as potent epithelial differentiation markers. We have studied 31 cases of thymomas (12 cortical, 2 predominantly cortical, 5 mixed, and 9 medullary type thymomas as well as 3 well-differentiated thymic carcinomas) and, for comparison, 15 normal thymi, for the presence of different CK polypeptides. Immunohistochemistry was performed on cryostat sections using the indirect immunoperoxidase method.