Stains & CD markers
Cytokeratin 20 (CK20, K20)


Last author update: 1 July 2013
Last staff update: 3 August 2023

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PubMed Search: CK20

Nat Pernick, M.D.
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Cite this page: Pernick N. Cytokeratin 20 (CK20, K20). PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsck20.html. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Epithelial marker (MW 46 kDa) with restricted expression compared to CK7 (OMIM #608218)
Uses by pathologists
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Leica Microsystems (Biosystems Division) and Andrey Bychkov, M.D., Ph.D.

Colon (normal):
CK20 (PW31) with
intense cytoplasmic
staining

Ovarian cancer

Urothelial carcinoma



Images hosted on other servers:

Colonic adenocarcinoma: #1-well differentiated; #2-poorly differentiated; #3-metastatic; #4-primary (fig G) and metastatic to lung (fig H)


PanIN lesions: CK20+ in grades 1, 2 and 3

Prostatic adenocarcinoma; #2 with positive staining of verumontanum

Tubular adenocarcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma, high grade

Positive staining - normal
Positive staining - not malignant
Positive staining - malignant
Negative staining
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