COX-2 expression in uterine carcinosarcoma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements of uterine carcinosarcoma.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Medical center.


METHODS
Twenty-seven consecutive uterine specimens with carcinosarcoma.


METHODS
COX-2 expression assessment by immunohistochemistry was performed on deparaffinized sections of paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. Analysis of all stained tissue sections was done by means of light microscopy counting 10 high power fields with a minimum of 1,000 cells per slide. Analysis of the stained tissue sections was done by pathologists blinded to the clinical data and the follow-up course of the malignancy.


METHODS
Staining of more than 10% of the cells was considered positive. Staining intensity was graded on a 0-3 scale. A scoring index was calculated by multiplying the intensity grade by the percentage of stained cells and considered low when it was < or =1 and high when it was >1. COX-2 expression was associated with prognostic factors and survival.


RESULTS
COX-2 immunohistochemical staining was positive in 74% of the carcinomatous component of carcinosarcoma and a high staining score was observed in 48.2%. Staining parameters were significantly lower in the sarcomatous component. No significant association between COX-2 expression with stage, grade, depth of myometrial invasion, lymphvascular involvement or with survival was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
COX-2 is expressed in a high percentage of uterine carcinosarcoma, but does not seem to be associated with prognostic factors or survival.
Menczer
Joseph
J
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. joseph12@internet-zahav.net
Schreiber
Letizia
L
Sukmanov
Oleg
O
Kravtsov
Vladimir
V
Berger
Esther
E
Golan
Abraham
A
Levy
Tally
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002296:Carcinosarcoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2