Abstract

The glandular lesions of the uterine cervix can be classified into endocervical glandular dysplasia (EGD), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and adenocarcinoma, but the diagnostic criteria and the continuity of endocervical glandular lesions are still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of immunohistochemical findings of p53 and MIB-1 in the discrimination and the continuity of EGD, AIS and adenocarcinoma. The materials for the study included 11 cases of adenocarcinoma, 7 cases of AIS, 12 cases of high grade EGD, and 19 cases of low grade EGD. Also included were eleven benign glandular lesions (5 cases of tuboendometrial metaplasia, 3 cases of mesonephric remnant, 3 cases of microglandular hyperplasia). A strong reaction of more than 5% of the glandular epithelial nuclei was interpreted as positive for p53 protein. MIB-1 expression was analyzed semiquantitatively as negative, 1 , 2 , 3 , depending on the percentage of positive nuclei (less than 1%, 1~9%, 10~39%, > or = 40%, respectively). p53 protein expression was found in 3 (27.3%) out of 11 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 2 (28.6%) out of 7 cases of AIS. But all of high and low grade EGD cases were negative. High MIB-1 labelling index (> or =10%) was found in all adenocarcinoma cases and in 3 (42.9%) out of 7 cases of AIS. But only 2 (17.7%) out of 12 cases of high grade EGD showed high MIB-1 labelling index, and all of low grade EGD and benign lesions showed negligible MIB-1 positivities. In summary, MIB-1 labelling index might be valuable in the discrimination of malignant glandular lesions and endocervical glandular dysplasia from benign lesions, but p53 expression could be a useful parameter in the discrimination of malignant glandular lesions from endocervical glandular dysplasia and benign lesions.

• Keywords: p53;MIB-1;Endocervical glandular lesion;