Immunohistochemical assessment of symptomatic postmenopausal endometrial polyps in tamoxifen users and nonusers: a case control study
São Paulo med. j
; 138(1): 64-68, Jan.-Feb. 2020. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1099380
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND:
Endometrial polyps are common in postmenopausal women, and the effect of tamoxifen use (a risk factor for endometrial polyps) on their pathogenesis is unclear.OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the expression of hormone receptors and markers for proliferation/apoptosis (Ki-67 and Bcl-2) in endometrial polyps in postmenopausal users and nonusers of tamoxifen. DESIGN ANDSETTING:
Cross-sectional analytical study in a tertiary-level academic hospital.METHODS:
46 women (14 tamoxifen users and 32 nonusers) with postmenopausal bleeding underwent hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps. Polyp samples were immunohistochemically assessed for detection of Ki-67, Bcl-2 and estrogen and progesterone receptors.RESULTS:
Analysis on the glandular component of the polyps revealed progesterone receptor expression in the polyps of 96.9% of the nonusers of tamoxifen, and 92.3% of the tamoxifen users (P = 0.499). All polyps in nonusers and 92.3% of those in users were also positive for estrogen receptors (P = 0.295). Ki-67 was expressed in 75% of the polyps in the tamoxifen users and 82.8% of those in the nonusers. All endometrial polyps expressed Bcl-2.CONCLUSIONS:
The immunohistochemical analysis on endometrial polyps demonstrated that, although tamoxifen is considered to be a risk factor for endometrial polyps, there were no significant differences in the expression of hormone receptors between users and nonusers of tamoxifen. There were no between-group differences in Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression, and all patients displayed inhibition of apoptosis by Bcl-2, thus supporting the theory that polyps develop due to inhibition of apoptosis, and not through cell proliferation.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Tamoxifen
/
Postmenopause
/
Endometrium
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
São Paulo med. j
Journal subject:
Cirurgia Geral
/
Cincia
/
Ginecologia
/
Medicine
/
Medicina Interna
/
Obstetr¡cia
/
Pediatria
/
Sa£de Mental
/
Sa£de P£blica
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Irmandade Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre/BR
/
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul/BR
/
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre/BR
/
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul/BR