title: Alteration of the k-ras gene expression in atypical and nonatypical hyperplastic endometrium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy that has often proceeded by a premalignant phase. Modern molecular and immunostaining methods for precancerous lesions diagnosis have been expanded. One of the genetic alternations in the endometrial cancer carcinogenesis is the mutational activation of the K-ras oncogene. K-ras mutation has recognized to occur at an early stage of neoplastic progression in the endometrium. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression pattern of K-ras gene in atypical and nonatypical hyperplastic endometrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study in the referral gynecologic hospital in Tehran, immunohistochemical evaluation of K-ras has performed on 72 consecutive specimens in two following groups: endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (n: 36), and endometrial hyperplasia with atypia (n: 36). Staining of cells has evaluated in arbitrary quantitative methods in regards to both slides area staining and intensity of color reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  K-ras immunoreactivity has seen in 3/36 (8.3%) cases of non-atypical hyperplasia and in 2/36 (5.6%) cases of atypical hyperplasia (P: 0.64).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have not establish any significant differences in K-ras expression between the atypical and nonatypical hyperplastic endometrium, and our data has supported this view that K-ras mutation is a very rare event in human endometrial carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pathology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Izadi-Mood
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pathology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarmadi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pathology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rostamnasl
keywords: Endometrial cancer; Endometrial hyperplasia; Immunohistochemistry; K-ras