Inter-component immunohistochemical assessment of proliferative markers in uterine carcinosarcoma.

In the scientific literature, a selected number of reports have investigated the impact of proliferative activity on the development and progression of uterine carcinosarcomas (UC). The aim of the present retrospective study was to compare the immunohistochemical proliferation markers [Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), minichromosome maintenance complex component 3 (MCM3), and topoisomerase IIα (topoIIα)] assessment in both components of UC. A total of 30 paraffin-embedded slides of UCs, obtained from patients who underwent surgery between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2020, were analyzed. Medical records and clinicopathological data of patients were reviewed. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies against Ki67, PCNA, MCM3 and topoIIα. Ki67-positive nuclear immunoreactivity was reported in 20 (67%) and 16 (53%) UC carcinomatous and sarcomatous components, respectively. In the epithelial component, Ki67 positive staining was related to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P=0.025), and histological grade (G1 vs. G2/G3, P=0.031). Nuclear PCNA reactivity was observed in 18 (60%) and 16 (53%) carcinomatous and sarcomatous components, respectively. Notably, all four cases with omental metastases were PCNA-positive, and a relationship between staining pattern and the existence of metastases was of significant value (P=0.018). MCM3-positive nuclear staining was found nearly twice as high in the carcinomatous (n=19; 63%), compared with the sarcomatous (n=11; 37%) component, respectively, and MCM3 expression in the epithelial component was related to clinical stage (P=0.030), and the existence of omental metastasis (P=0.012). In addition, out of the 30 UCs, 17 (57%) and 13 (43%) showed topoIIα positivity in the carcinomatous and sarcomatous UC components, respectively. A significant relationship between protein immunoreactivity and FIGO stage (P=0.049), and omental metastasis (P=0.026) was revealed to exist. However, no significant differences between expression of proliferation markers and clinicopathological features in the sarcomatous UC component were identified. Finally, a significant correlation between each protein immunohistochemical staining was demonstrated, particularly in the sarcomatous UC component. Collectively, a combined analysis of Ki67, PCNA, MCM3, and topoIIα may provide more detailed information of cell-cycle alterations determining the heterogeneity of uterine carcinosarcomas.

Multiple recurrences of early-stage, endometrioid-type G2 endometrial cancer with a long-time follow-up: A case study.

The recurrence after a long-time free period of time, in women primarily operated on for early-stage of endometrial cancer (EC), is a unique phenomenon. Currently, we present the case of a 59-year-old woman with multiple recurrences from the moderately-differentiated, stage Ib, endometrioid-type, uterine cancer. All recurrences were pathologically proven to originate from the primary tumor, and the patient expired 12 years after the primary surgery for disseminated neoplasm. We summarize the current data to give a short overview of the role of late recurrences in women operated on for early-stage EC.

Coexistence of homologous-type cervical carcinosarcoma with endometrioid-type G1 endometrial cancer: a case report with an immunohistochemical study.

Coexistence of two or even more independent primary tumors derived from the female genital tract organs is a unique event. The most common combination is the coexistence of synchronous tumors in the ovary and endometrium. In the present case study, we described a coincidence of homologous-type cervical carcinosarcoma (CS) with endometrioid-type G1 uterine adenocarcinoma (EC) arising on the basis of hyperplastic endometrium. A panel of immunohistochemical markers was applied, either in both CS components or in endometrioid-type EC, to assess possible differences between both uterine malignancies. We also presented a short overview of the coexistence of cervical carcinosarcomas with other female genital tract malignancies.