Immunohistochemistry of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), laminin, and electron microscopy by tannic acid fixation in surface epithelial-stromal ovarian tumors

The distribution of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), laminin, and basement membrane in surface epithelial-stromal ovarian tumors was studied using immunohistochemical and cytochemical techniques. PCNA is a useful means of differentiating between borderline and malignant tumors. The distribution of laminin-positive materials in malignant tumors showed that laminin synthesis in these tumors is quite different from that which occurs in benign or borderline tumors. This corresponded with electron microscopic findings by tannic acid fixation showing pleomorphism of cell organelles and discontinuity of the basement membrane in malignant tumors.