title: Proliferation indices and p53-immunocytochemistry in uterine mixed mullerian tumors.
abstract: Mixed mullerian tumor (MMT) is a biphasic malignancy of elderly women. It, including both a carcinomatous and a sarcomatous component (CC and SC), is regarded as a female genital tract carcinosarcoma (FGTCS). Since current methods to grade CC and SC are not still univocal, the authors estimate mitotic index (MI) and MIB 1-immunolabeling index (MIB 1-LI) as common prognostic indices for the MMT components. They also compare above prognostic indices with p-53 immunocytochemistry, in MMTs. The present study thus points out that: (a) MI of CC and SC areas is consistent with the respective conventional tumor grades; (b) MI averages of CC are higher than those observed in the SC areas; (c) MI and MIB 1-LI of the CC-tumor cells correlate reciprocally in a very significant fashion; (d) A diffuse strong p53 nuclear immunostaining (> 50% cells) is often patent where the highest MI and MIB 1-LI are found. In conclusion, the authors propose MI and MIB 1-LI as two complementary useful indices to assess prognosis of MMTs. They also suggest p53 nuclear immunolabeling should be regarded as an independent biomarker of unfavourable MMT behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Nicòtina
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlazzo
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vincelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D008875:Middle Aged; D008940:Mitotic Index; D018200:Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53