ABSTRACT
Objective To study the expression and significance of survivin,an apoptotic suppressor gene,in craniopharyngioma. Methods Fifty specimens were collected from patients with craniopharyngioma admitted in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2000 to 2005. By using immunohistocbemistry (S-P) method, the expression of survivin in craniopharyngioma was detected. The results were analyzed quantitatively by using digital image analysis. Results Survivin positive expression was observed in craniopharyngioma but not in normal brain tis-sue. There was more expression of survivin in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas than in squamous papillary types( P = 0.036 ) , in male than in female (P = 0.002 ), in children ≤ 16 years than in adults > 16 years, and in re-current group than in non-recurrent group( P = 0.011 ). There was no significant difference among different properties of craniopharyngioma ( P = 0. 057 ), and different courses of disease ( P = 0. 083 ). Conclusions Survivin may be considered as a significant index for assessment of tumor recurrence.