The significance of erb-b2 immunostaining in cervical cancer

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between sur vival and erb-b2 immunohistochemical staining in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma. Methods. Archival specimens for 126 patients with stage IB/IIA cervical car cinoma treated with radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic node dissecti on (RH-BPND) were retrieved and submitted to immunohistochemistry for ERBB2 expression. The association between positive results and poor survival was assessed in a multivariate analysis. Results. Erb-b2 immunostaining was significantly associated with poor survi val (P = 0.0284) but less so than parametrial extension (P = 0.0014) and no dal disease (P = 0.0106). Tumor type (squamous/adenosquamous/adenocarcinoma ) and the status of surgical margins were not significantly associated with survival. Conclusions. These results supported further investigations of ERBB2 expres sion as a marker of high-risk disease in patients treated with RH-BPND. (C) 1999 Academic Press.