[Antibodies against intermediate filaments--a contribution to the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors].

Intermediate filaments are composed of 5 groups which follow the classic histogenetic division of tissue. The application of antibodies against the 5 groups for the analysis of salivary gland tumours reveals the presence of keratin in normal and neoplastic epithelial tissue. All carcinomas e.g. adenocarcinomas, acinic cell tumours, mucoepidermoid tumours and squamous cell carcinomas were positive for keratin. Vimentin was regularly found in the cells of the stroma. A special distribution pattern of intermediate filaments was found in pleomorphic adenomas and in adenoid cystic carcinomas. These tumours display the presence of two systems, keratin and vimentin filaments. The application of antibodies against intermediate filaments is useful for differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumours and for histogenetic analysis of special tumour groups.