Proliferation profile of endometrial polyps in post-menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether or not the presence of c-erbB2 over-expression in endometrial polyps affects the percentage of cells positive for Ki-67 proliferation marker.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with endometrial polyps were submitted to polypectomy by hysteroscopy. Ki-67 and c-erbB2 over-expression were investigated in the polyps by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The presence of c-erbB2 over-expression by immunohistochemistry was observed in 80% of endometrial polyps and was associated with higher proliferation rates as determined by the number of positive Ki-67 cell nuclei. In c-erbB2-negative polyps, the proliferation rates were low.


CONCLUSIONS
Ki-67 and c-erbB2 over-expression are frequent in endometrial polyps in post-menopausal women.
Maia
H
H
Endoscopy Unit, CEPARH, Rua Caetano Moura, 35, Salvador 40210-341, Bahia, Brazil. humrepbahia@e-net.com.br
Maltez
A
A
Athayde
C
C
Coutinho
E M
EM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002455:Cell Division; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases