title: Necrosis and apoptotic index as prognostic factors in non-small cell lung carcinoma: a review.
abstract: Necrosis and apoptosis represent two pathogenetically distinct types of cell death. Necrosis is associated with pathologic conditions while apoptosis is a physiological process of programmed cell death, which is associated with normal tissue growth and is frequently impaired in various forms of cancer. Tumor necrosis and apoptotic index (AI) have been previously evaluated as prognostic biomarkers in lung cancer, but their exact clinical value remains unclear. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the MEDLINE literature on the prognostic significance of these histopathological markers in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Although a substantial body of evidence suggests that tumor necrosis may be a strong predictor of aggressive tumor behavior and reduced survival in patients with NSCLC, the independent prognostic value of this biomarker remains to be firmly established. Furthermore, previous data on the prognostic significance of apoptotic index in NSCLC are relatively limited and largely controversial. More prospective studies are necessary in order to further validate tumor necrosis and AI as prognostic markers in NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, "SOTIRIA" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gkogkou
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, "SOTIRIA" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frangia
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Muhammad W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Saif
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, "SOTIRIA" General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Rodoula
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trigidou
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit GPP, "SOTIRIA" General Hospital, Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece ; Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syrigos
keywords: Apoptotic index; Necrosis; Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC); Prognosis