Lectin histochemistry in adrenocortical hyperplasia and neoplasms with emphasis on carcinoma

Lectin binding analysis of Con A, SBA, PNA, WGA, HPA, RCA-I, DBA and UEA-I was performed in two cases of normal human adrenal gland, four cases of adrenocortical hyperplasia, six cases of adrenocortical adenoma, and seven cases of adrenocortical carcinoma to examine the differences of lectin binding properties. No lectins were bound specifically to adrenocortical cells. Binding of RCA-I was observed in some carcinoma cells focally but not in benign counterparts. With WGA and Con A, the cytoplasmic binding became apparent in the cells manifesting hypercorticism. In adrenocortical carcinoma, various WGA and Con A binding patterns were intermingled, but no specific patterns were identified. The focal nature of RCA-I binding, and no specific WGA and Con A binding properties in carcinoma, suggest that diagnosis of malignant neoplasm must still largely rely on clinical, hormonal, and structural criteria in adrenocortical neoplasms.