Biological properties of biopsy specimens are useful for predicting lymph node micrometastasis in esophageal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Some studies have reported on lymph node micrometastasis (MM) by RT-PCR. We attempted to predict MM by biological means using preoperative biopsy specimens.


METHODS
Lymph nodes from 60 patients with esophageal carcinoma were examined by routine histological examination and CEA-specific RT-PCR. The biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically examined using p53, cyclin D1 (CD1) and desmoglein 1 (DG1) antibodies.


RESULTS
Of 659 lymph nodes, 53 (8.0%) nodes were positive according to histological examination and 158 (24.0%) had MM by RT-PCR. The percentage of patients with lymph node metastasis according to histological examination and RT-PCR was 65.0% and 81.7%, respectively. CD1 and DG1 expression correlated with MM, whereas p53 expression did not. MM was frequently detected in the tumors with CD1-positive, DG1-negative or reduced expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of CD1 and DG1 in biopsy specimens may offer useful information on lymph node metastasis, including MM in esophageal carcinoma.
Nakashima
Saburo
S
First Department of Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan.
Natsugoe
Shoji
S
Matsumoto
Masataka
M
Kijima
Fumio
F
Miyazono
Futoshi
F
Ishigami
Sumiya
S
Baba
Masamichi
M
Takao
Sonshin
S
Aikou
Takashi
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001706:Biopsy; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051183:Desmoglein 1; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D051183:Desmoglein 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53