[Study on cytokeratin and CA125 for diagnosing lymph node micrometastases in endometrial cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To study the roles of cytokeratin (CK) and CA(125) in diagnosing lymph node micrometastasis in endometrial cancer.


METHODS
The expressions of CK and CA(125) in 50 primary tumors and 298 lymph nodes from 50 patients with endometrial cancers were analysed by immunohistochemical methods.


RESULTS
(1) The positive expression rates of CK and CA(125) in primary tumors of cases with endometrial cancer were respectively 100%, and 78%. (2) The expressions of CK and CA(125) in metastatic lymph nodes were both strong with 100% positive rate. In lymph nodes without metastasis, the expressions of CK and CA(125) were both weak, with positive rates of 15% and 12% respectively. (3) Among patients with stage I, II diseases, tumor recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with positive CK or CA(125) expression in lymph nodes than in patients without CK or CA(125) expression (P < 0.05). (4) Multiple regression analysis revealed that in stages I, II endometrial cancer, CK expression in lymph nodes, and CA(125) expression in lymph nodes together with depth of myometrial invasion were relevant factors with tumor recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
CK expression in lymph nodes without metastasis can predict lymph node micrometastasis and is an independent risk factor for recurrence of disease in stages I, II endometrial cancers. CA(125) expression in lymph nodes without metastasis can also suggest lymph node micrometastasis, but it is not an independent predictive factor for tumor recurrence in stages I, II endometrial cancers.
Liu
Feng-hua
FH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Wang
Yi-feng
YF
Wang
Jing
J
Xue
Qiang
Q
Jiang
Sen
S
Ma
Yu-yan
YY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D007633:Keratins