Correlation between the Expression of EGFR and the Recurrence of Vulvar Cancer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in vulvar malignancies and to determine if a correlation exists between EGFR levels and various clinical variables. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2003, 28 patients with a diagnosis of the vulva cancer who were treated at Seoul National University Hospital and Korean Cancer Center Hospital, were eligible for the study. EGFR expression was determined using immunohistochemical staining of appropriate tissue samples. RESULTS: EGFR expression was expressed in 7 of 28 (25.0%) vulvar cancer tissues. Although statistically not significant, expression of EGFR was more frequently observed in stage III/IV of vulvar cancer group than stage I/II (60.0% vs 40.0%, p=0.281), in women aged under 60 than older group (57.1% vs. 42.9%, p=1.00), and in premenopause than postmenopause (57.1% vs. 42.9%, p=1.00) Expression of EGFR increased the odds ratio of recurrence (OR=23.750, 95% CI=2.648-212.979). The likelihood of advanced stage and lymph node metastasis is elevated (OR=4.800, 95% CI=0.617-37.351 and OR=4.500, 95% CI=0.542-37.378) without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: EGFR expression had a significant correlation with recurrence of vulvar cancer. In conclusion, this study suggested that EGFR expression may involve in carcinogenesis of vulvar cancer.