Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates cell€''cell adhesion in epithelia. It is normally present on most baso-lateral surfaces of normal epithelial cells and is absent in myoepithelial cells, hepatocytes, adult squamous epithelia, mesothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Anti-EpCAM stains most adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors, including small cell carcinomas. A minority of renal clear cell carcinoma, renal oncocytoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma stain positively for EpCAM, while Anti-EpCAM stains nearly all basal cell carcinoma. Anti-EpCAM stains chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma, and cholangiocarcinoma more frequently. Anti-EpCAM can be useful for distinguishing malignancy in the peritoneal and pleural cavities.
