ARS | Publication request: Towards the Standardization of Tumor Diagnosis

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 1, 2010
Publication Date: October 18, 2010
Citation: Witter, R.L., Gimeno, I.M., Pandiri, A.R., Fadly, A.M. 2010. Towards the standardization of tumor diagnosis [abstract]. In: 5th International Workshop on the Molecular Pathogenesis of Marek's Disease Virus and 1st Symposium on Avian Herpesviruses, October 17-20, 2010, Athens, Georgia, p. 135.

Technical Abstract: The differential diagnosis of chicken tumors is important but has been difficult in practice for a variety of reasons. Methods and criteria have varied among laboratories. This poster is based on a new publication (1) designed to encourage greater standardization of tumor diagnosis. The use of a decision tree (flow chart) is proposed to simplify the process. Tumor-specific criteria are generally more useful than infection-based criteria. Although pathology is still important, advanced criteria of several types are often necessary to support definitive diagnoses. Immunohistochemistry is used to identify lymphocyte surface markers, meq antigen, and several viral antigens. Demonstration of high meq expression by quantitative PCR can confirm Marek’s disease diagnoses. Molecular methods to identify specific retroviral LTR insertions into the cellular genome are potentially helpful. These new approaches await further evaluation through more widespread use in the field. The field of tumor diagnostics represents an important but underappreciated research opportunity.