Immunohistochemical analysis of peritoneal mesothelioma and primary and secondary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum: antibodies to estrogen and progesterone receptors are useful.

The role of immunohistochemical markers in distinguishing peritoneal mesothelioma from primary or metastatic serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum was evaluated. We immunostained 20 peritoneal mesotheliomas (from 14 men and 6 women), 14 primary peritoneal carcinomas, and 14 metastatic serous ovarian carcinomas with a panel of 16 antibodies. Positive staining for calretinin was identified in 17 (85%) of 20 mesotheliomas, but all carcinomas were negative.