Overexpression of p53 and HER-2/neu and c-myc in primary fallopian tube carcinoma

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare form of female cancer and the ge netic basis of its carcinogenesis remains unclear. Eighteen cases of primar y fallopian tube adenocarcinoma were studied. Immunohistochemical staining for p53, HER-2/neu and c-myc genes were performed. Overexpression of p53 wa s detected in 12 cases (67%), HER-2/neu in 16 cases (89%), and c-myc in 11 cases (61%). The potential relevance of overexpression of the three genes w ith clinicopathological features was examined, but no significant correlati on was found. The high incidence of p53, HER-2/neu and c-myc overexpression in fallopian tube adenocarcinoma suggests these genes may play a role in i ts tumorigenesis. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.