HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY

Cellular and Molecular Biology



Proliferation indices and p53-immunocytochemistry in uterine mixed mullerian tumors

P.A. Cortés, G. Ferlazzo and A.M. Vincelli

Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

Offprint requests to: Prof. Piero A. Nicolina, Dipartimenlo di Palologia Umana, Policlinico Universilario, "G. Martino" pad. D. 98100 Messina. Ilaly

 

Summary. Mixed mullerian tumor (MMT) is a biphasic malignancy of elderly women. It, including both a carcinomatous and a sarcomatous component (CC and SC), is regarded as a female genital tract carcinosarcoma (FGTCS). Since current methods to grade CC and SC are not still univocal, the authors estimate mitotic index (MI) and MIB l-immunolabeling index (MIB l-LI) as common prognostic indices for the MMT components. They also compare above prognostic indices with p-53 immunocytochemistry, in MMTs. The present study thus points out that: (a) MI of CC and SC areas is consistent with the respective conventional tumor grades; (b) MI averages of CC are higher than those observed in the SC areas; (c) MI and MIB l-LI of the CC-tumor cells correlate reciprocally in a very significant fashion; (d) A diffuse strong p53 nuclear immunostaining (>50% cells) is often patent where the highest MI and MIB l-LI are found. In conclusion, the authors propose MI and MIB l-LI as two complementary useful indices to assess prognosis of MMTs. They also suggest p53 nuclear immunolabeling should be regarded as an independent biomarker of unfavourable MMT behaviour. Histol Histopathol 12, 967-972 (1997)


Key words: Mixed mullerian tumor, Proliferation indices, Mitotic index, MIB I-labeling index, p53 tumor biomarker

DOI: 10.14670/HH-12.967