Predictors of outcome in small cell carcinoma of the cervix - A case series

Citation
Jm. Straughn et al., Predictors of outcome in small cell carcinoma of the cervix - A case series, GYNECOL ONC, 83(2), 2001, pp. 216-220
Citations number
27
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine
Journal title
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY
ISSN journal
0090-8258 → ACNP
Volume
83
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
216 - 220
Database
ISI
SICI code
0090-8258(200111)83:2<216:POOISC>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Objective. The objective of this study was to determine whether clinicopath ologic findings or the immunohistochemical presence of molecular markers ar e predictive of clinical outcome in patients with small cell carcinoma of t he cervix (SCCC). Methods. A retrospective review of cases of carcinoma of the cervix was con ducted to identify SCCC. From 1978 to 1999, 16 patients were identified at our institution with the diagnosis of SCCC. Microscopic sections of paraffi n-embedded tissue specimens were evaluated for confirmation of diagnosis. S pecimens were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies to three neuroe ndocrine markers: neuron-specific enolase, chromagranin (CGR), and synaptop hysin. Specimens were also stained for protein expression of p53, erbB2, pr oliferating cell nuclear antigen, and c-myc. The relationship between molec ular markers and clinical outcome was determined. Results, All 16 cases met the histologic criteria for SCCC. Fourteen of 16 tumors (88%) stained positive for neuroendocrine differentiation. Eleven of 16 patients (69%) died from disease with a median survival of 19 months; t here were 3 long-term survivors (greater than 5 years). CGR was positive in 8 (50%) specimens and was found to be highly predictive of death (P = 0.00 1). Complete loss of p53 protein was seen in 8 patients, 7 of whom died wit h a median survival of 20 months. Conclusion. Immunohistochemistry can be helpful in confirming difficult cas es of SCCC. Further studies are necessary to define molecular markers that may be predictive of outcome in patients with SCCC. (C) 2001 Academic Press .