Immunohistochemical study of GLUT-1 in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Aim: To investigate the immunoexpression and diagnostic applicability of human erythrocyte‐type glucose transporter protein (GLUT‐1) in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Material and methods: Specimens diagnosed as oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors archived in the Oral Pathology Service of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais from 1966 to 2006 were evaluated. Thirty‐four lesions were included: 15 traumatic neuromas, 11 neurofibromas, four neurilemmomas, and four malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). One case of neurofibroma was associated with neurofibromatosis type I. Immunohistochemistry for S‐100 and GLUT‐1 was performed. S‐100 was immunopositive in all lesions. Results: Benign lesions were immunopositive for GLUT‐1 except in two (18.2%) cases of neurofibromas. In the traumatic neuroma, the perineuriums were immunopositive for GLUT‐1. In the neurofibroma, the immunoreactivity was heterogeneous. Immunopositivity was observed at levels of 54.5% in the periphery of the lesion, 9.1% in the center, and 18.2% in both. The neurilemmoma demonstrated immunopositivity in the capsule. One case (25%) of MPNST presented GLUT‐1 positive stain in occasional cells distributed homogeneously in all the tumor area. Conclusion: GLUT‐1 is a useful marker for perineurial cells and should be included in the oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors immunophenotyping thus aiding in the correct diagnosis of these lesions.