What is ck20?

Cytokeratin 20 (CK20) is a type of protein that is present in normal and neoplastic cells of the urothelial epithelium, colorectal mucosa, Merkel cells, and the gastrointestinal tract. It is commonly used as a diagnostic marker for various types of cancers, including bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and Merkel cell carcinoma. The presence of CK20 in cancerous cells can help clinicians determine the primary site of the tumor and guide treatment decisions. Testing for CK20 levels is typically done through immunohistochemical staining of tissue samples. The level of CK20 expression in tumors can be used as a prognostic marker for the patient's likelihood of recurrence or metastasis.