Clinicopathological features of primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a single institution experience.
OBJECTIVE
Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare malignancy with only few data existing on the impact of prognostic factors.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 26 patients. Tissue blocks were reviewed and sections were stained for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1, TIMP-2), c-erbB-2, estrogen (ER), and progesterone receptors (PgR).


RESULTS
Reactivity for VEGF, ER, PgR, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and c-erbB-2 was observed in 85%, 46%, 27%, 11.5%, 58%, 0%, 23% and 8% of specimens, respectively. None of the markers studied displayed prognostic significance. Regarding clinical prognostic factors, the hazard ratio (HR) for progression and death for patients with tumor residuum > 2 cm was 5.24 (p < 0.01) and 11.19 (p < 0.005), respectively. Patients with advanced stage disease had a HR of 12.55 (p < 0.05) for progression, while the HR for death was not found to be statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the biomarkers studied seems to influence survival. Early-stage disease and optimal debulking are associated with improved outcome.
Papadimitriou
C A
CA
Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, University of Athens School of Medicine, Greece. chr_papadim@yahoo.gr
Markaki
S
S
Lianos
E
E
Peitsidis
P
P
Vourli
G
G
Nikitas
N
N
Vlachos
G
G
Rodolakis
A
A
Antsaklis
A
A
Dimopoulos
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A