[Role of intermediate filaments in the differential diagnosis of tumors in the area of the ear, nose and throat].

Different tumours of the head and neck were analysed by immunohistochemistry. The distribution pattern of several intermediate filaments was studied. Keratin filaments were typical of carcinomas, whereas vimentin filaments were typical of mesenchymal tumours of different origin. The advances of this new technique of "tumour typing" are discussed.