HMWCK in Prostate Cancer
Section Editor: Dharam M. Ramnani, MD
Virginia Urology, Richmond, VA, USA
Image Description
Immunostaining with high molecular weight cytokeratin (HMWCK) confirms the absence of basal cells in the smaller atypical glands supporting the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. The most commonly used antibodies include 34bE12, CK5/6, and CK14. More recently, basal cell specific antibody cocktails have been developed by combining HMWCK with p63. They give more consistent and stronger staining thereby reducing false-positive and false-negative rates.