Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the uterine cervix is extremely rare, fre quently metastasizes to distant organs, and its prognosis is poorer than sq uamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The reasons for its poor progn osis are unclear. This case had both an ACC and a carcinoma in situ (CIS) o f the uterine cervix, so the expressions of CD34, vascular endothelial grow th factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were investigated in both tum ors. Hysterectomy was performed on a 76-year old woman and the uterine cerv ical tissues immunohistochemically analyzed. Expressions of CD34 were posit ive in the ACC lesions but negative in the CIS ones and angiogenesis was co nfirmed in ACCs. Furthermore, expressions of VEGF and COX-2 were shown in A CC, but were absent in CIS. In conclusion, the expression of COX-2 in ACC m ay induce the expression of VEGF, increase angiogenesis and enhance tumor g rowth and invasion.