Immunostaining of Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Immunostaining of tumour sections with antithyroglobulin antibody is helpful in confirming the follicular cell origin of the differentiated carcinomas (Fig. 16.14), particularly in metastases of undetermined origin. Obtaining a positive reaction with anticalcitonin is now an essential step in the histological diagnosis of medullary carcinomas.