Professional
Technical
IVT
synaptophysin staining
Immunohistochemical marker used to identify neuroendocrine cells and confirm neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis.
Full Definition
Synaptophysin staining is a critical immunohistochemical technique used in pathology to identify neuroendocrine cells and confirm the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors. This glycoprotein is found in synaptic vesicles and secretory granules of neuroendocrine cells. Positive synaptophysin staining, often used alongside chromogranin A, helps pathologists distinguish neuroendocrine tumors from other malignancies. The staining pattern and intensity can provide diagnostic and prognostic information about tumor grade and behavior.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase 'staining' when following the protein name.
In Context
- "The pathology report confirmed positive synaptophysin staining, supporting the diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor." — Pathology report
- "Synaptophysin staining was uniformly positive throughout the tumor, indicating strong neuroendocrine differentiation." — Clinical documentation
Also known as
synaptophysin immunostaining
synaptophysin immunohistochemistry
Don't confuse with
chromogranin staining
neuron-specific enolase staining