الفهرس 
Title : Expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in astrocytic tumors (histopathological & immunohistochemical study
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Abstract
Background: Astrocytic tumors are the most common primary brain tumors. Glioblastoma is the most common astrocytic tumor representing the highest WHO grade (WHO grade IV) with poor prognosis & short survival time. ALK is vital for cell division & cell differentiation. ALK is expressed in high grade tumors like anaplastic large cell lymphoma that make it a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Aim of Work: This work aimed to examine immunohistochemical expression of ALK in astrocytic tumors and its correlation with the age, sex, clinical presentation, location, laterality, recurrence & WHO grade of the astrocytic tumors. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on sixty cases of astrocytic tumors. Microscopic examination of H&E stained slides was done to confirm the diagnosis. Immunohistochemical reactions were carried out by using ALK monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical expression of ALK was estimated by evaluating intensity of brown cytoplasmic staining of neoplastic astrocytic cells. Assessment of positive staining intensity is better to be combined with extent of its distribution in the examined tissue giving us the following scoring system; Score 0: all tumor cells are negative, Score 1: < 25% of tumor cells are positive, Score 2: 25% to < 50% of tumor cells are positive, Score 3: 50% - 75% of tumor cells are positive & finally Score 4: >75% of tumor cells are positive