PROLIFERATIVE AND APOPTOTIC STATUS IN ENDOMETRIAL ADENOCARCINOMA

The contribution of cell proliferation and apoptosis to growth pattern s in endometrial adenocarcinoma were investigated. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out by an antibody for Ki-67 proliferative antig en, Le(y) apoptotic antigen, and oncogene products bcl-2 and p53. Fort y cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma were classified as exophytic, en dophytic, and mixed exo- and endophytic in light of their vertical gro wth pattern, and, in each case, the carcinomatous area was divided int o three layers by its vertical axis. In all but one case, no zonal dis tribution of the antigen expression was observed. In one case, an exop hytic tumor, Ki-67 expression was intense in the surface layer and Le( y) expression in the deep layer was also intense, suggesting a correla tion between macroscopic growth pattern and cellular growth and apopto tic potential. However, in general, zonal distribution of cell prolife ration and apoptosis could not explain the growth morphology of endome trial adenocarcinoma of the uterus and it was suggested that factor(s) other than cell proliferation and apoptosis determine macroscopic gro wth patterns.