Immunohistochemical study of carbonic anhydrase in mixed tumours and adenomas of sweat and sebaceous glands.

Immunohistochemical distribution of carbonic anhydrase II (CA) in mixed tumours and adenomas of sweat gland origin and in sebaceous adenomas was demonstrated by the PAP method. Normal sweat glands, both eccrine and apocrine, clear cells of the secretory coils, and ductal epithelial cells all showed conspicuous staining for CA, and sebaceous glands were also positive. Mixed tumours of the skin indicated strongly positive staining for CA in the luminal cells of tubular and duct-like or cystic structures, while most of the other tumour cells were negative. In solid or massive foci, CA positive cells were found scattered among the cellular mass. Sebaceous adenomas were usually moderately positive for CA throughout the tumour.