Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) expression by thyroid neoplasms in a Nigerian tertiary health centre

Q: What is the purpose of measuring CK19 in thyroid neoplasms?

To assess whether cytokeratin 19 (CK19) immunohistochemical expression can help predict thyroid malignancy, especially where histomorphology is incomplete or equivocal.

Q: How was the study conducted?

The study retrospectively reviewed 56 thyroid neoplasm cases from OAUTHC over 20 years and applied immunohistochemical staining for CK19 using monoclonal antibodies.

Q: What diagnostic performance did CK19 show in the study?

CK19 expression was significantly higher in malignant than benign neoplasms (p<0.05). Reported sensitivity was 90.0% and specificity was 75.0%.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

Study evaluates cytokeratin 19 (CK19) expression in thyroid neoplasms diagnosed at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria, addressing limited local evidence despite reported diagnostic utility for thyroid malignancy. A retrospective review of 56 cases over 20 years was performed, with immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies and histologic assessment of marker expression across neoplasm types. CK19 was significantly higher in malignant than benign tumors (p<0.05), with sensitivity 90.0% and specificity 75.0%. Diffuse CK19 immunohistochemical expression is concluded as a strong malignancy indicator, supporting diagnosis when histomorphology is incomplete or equivocal.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Background on CK19

CK19 staining patterns and diagnostic value

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Research Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) expression by thyroid neoplasms in a Nigerian tertiary health centre Soremekun Ademola Idowu, Olaofe Olaejirinde Olaniyi, Komolafe Akinwumi Oluwole Corresponding author: Olaofe Olaejirinde Olaniyi, Department Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, [Nigeria. oolaofe@oauife.edu.ng](Nigeria. oolaofe@oauife.edu.ng) [Received:](Received: 11 Oct 2022-Accepted: 02 Apr 2023-Published: 14 Apr 2023)[ 11 Oct 2022-](Received: 11 Oct 2022-Accepted: 02 Apr 2023-Published: 14 Apr 2023)[Accepted:](Received: 11 Oct 2022-Accepted: 02 Apr 2023-Published: 14 Apr 2023)[ 02 Apr 2023-](Received: 11 Oct 2022-Accepted: 02 Apr 2023-Published: 14 Apr 2023)[Published:](Received: 11 Oct 2022-Accepted: 02 Apr 2023-Published: 14 Apr 2023)[ 14 Apr 2023](Received: 11 Oct 2022-Accepted: 02 Apr 2023-Published: 14 Apr 2023) [Keywords:](Keywords: Thyroid)[ Thyroid](Keywords: Thyroid), neoplasm, immunohistochemistry, cytokeratin, antibody Copyright: Soremekun Ademola Idowu et al. Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688) . This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License ( [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Cite this article: Soremekun Ademola Idowu et al. Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) expression by thyroid neoplasms in a Nigerian tertiary health centre. Pan African Medical Journal. 2023;44(176) . 10. 11604/pamj.2023.44.176.37751 Available online at: [https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com//content/article/44/176/full](https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com//content/article/44/176/full) Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) expression by thyroid neoplasms in a Nigerian tertiary health centre Soremekun Ademola Idowu1, Olaofe Olaejirinde Olaniyi1,&, Komolafe Akinwumi Oluwole1 1 Department Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria &Corresponding author Olaofe Olaejirinde Olaniyi, Department Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria Abstract Introduction: despite the observed appreciable sensitivity and specificity of the use of CK19 in predicting thyroid malignancies, there is still a paucity of information about its uses in Nigeria. Current information across the world is also scarce. This study was to review the histopathological diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms seen in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile Ife, using cytokeratin 19 immunohistochemical marker. Methods: a retrospective study of fifty-six cases of thyroid neoplasm seen over a period of twenty years was conducted. The tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for CK19 using monoclonal antibodies. The expression of the markers on the various thyroid neoplasms was assessed histologically. Results: the expression of CK19 was significantly higher in malignant thyroid neoplasms compared to benign neoplasms (p<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity for cytokeratin 19 were 90.0% and 75.0% respectively. Conclusion: diffuse immunohistochemical expression of CK19 is a strong indicator of thyroid malignancy. This biomarker can help in the diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms especially those with incomplete or equivocal histomorphology features. Introduction Cytokeratin 19 is a low-molecular-weight cytokeratin found in a variety of simple or glandular epithelia, both normal and neoplastic [1] . It is encoded in humans by keratin- 19 (K19) gene and a type 1 keratin [2] . CK19 consists of pairs of different keratin chains of acidic proteins. Unlike its related family members, it is unpaired with a basic cytokeratin in epithelial cells [2] . The type I cytokeratin is cl

FAQs

What is the purpose of measuring CK19 in thyroid neoplasms?

To assess whether cytokeratin 19 (CK19) immunohistochemical expression can help predict thyroid malignancy, especially where histomorphology is incomplete or equivocal.

How was the study conducted?

The study retrospectively reviewed 56 thyroid neoplasm cases from OAUTHC over 20 years and applied immunohistochemical staining for CK19 using monoclonal antibodies.

What diagnostic performance did CK19 show in the study?

CK19 expression was significantly higher in malignant than benign neoplasms (p<0.05). Reported sensitivity was 90.0% and specificity was 75.0%.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Callum