Malignant potential of dysplastic endocervical epithelium assessed by ploidy status, S-phase fraction and C-myc expression.
The aim of this study was to determine if dysplastic endocervical cells (EC) posses a neoplastic potential as precursor lesions to adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). The malignant potential was determined by assessing the ploidy status and proliferative activity by flow cytometry and c-myc expression by immunohistochemistry. The studied parameters were assessed separately in morphologically normal, dysplastic and malignant EC. The chi 2 test showed significant association of malignant EC with aneuploidy (p = 0.008) and high proliferative activity (p = 0.042). Since one third of the dysplastic EC are also aneuploid and show high mitotic activity, they probably have malignant potential as well. The dysplastic EC showed a significant association with c-myc oncogene expression (p = 0.028). Our results indicate the existence of pre-malignant glandular lesions, while the immunohistochemical detection of c-myc protooncogene could be helpful in detection of EC with malignant potential, even without any dysplastic morphological changes.
Hlupić
Ljiljana
L
Department of Pathology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Jukić
Stanko
S
Svagelj
Drazen
D
Kos
Marina
M
D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011003:Ploidies; D011230:Precancerous Conditions; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016196:S Phase; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*
C489427:MYC protein, human; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc