Objective: To investigate the proliferating ability of tumor cells in 74 cases with endometrial carcinoma (EMC), as well as define the correlation between clinical pathology, prognostic features and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR).
Methods: Proliferating cell nucleus antigen (PCNA) and ER/PR content were examined using immunohistochemical assay.
Results: PCNA was expressed in both benign hyperplasia and EMC, but positive rate in the latter was significantly higher than that in the former (82.4% vs 30.0%) (P < 0.01). EMC well differentiated had lower proliferating index (PI) score than those moderately and poorly differentiated(P < 0.001), and the PI score was negatively related to the grade of differentiation(r = -0.52, P < 0.01). PI score in early cases (I/II) was significantly lower than that in advanced ones(III/IV) (P < 0.05), and the PI score was positively related to the clinical stages (r = 0.55, P < 0.01). Positive rates of ER, PR were 66.2% (49/74) and 75.7%(56/74) respectively, expression of PCNA was negatively related with ER and PR(r = -0.42, -0.51, respectively, P < 0.05).
Conclusions: EMC cells with poorer differentiation or in more advanced stages have faster proliferating ability and aggressive biological behavior. Expression of PCNA combined with detection of ER/PR not only apts to retrospective study, but also has some prognostic value.