The significance of neuroendocrine expression in undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium

Suad H. Taraif, Michael T. Deavers, Anais Malpica, Elvio G. Silva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Carcinomas with neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation have been associated with poor outcome in different organs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and significance of NE expression in a series of 46 undifferentiated endometrial carcinomas diagnosed between 1988 and 2005. NE expression was studied by immunohistochemistry including synaptophysin, chromogranin, and/or CD56. The patients' age ranged from 30 to 84 years (mean 55). Staging information was available for 45 cases and according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics system they were distributed as follows: stage I (9 cases), stage II (2 cases), stage III (9 cases), and stage IV (25 cases). NE expression was present in 19/46 (41%) cases; however, it was diffuse in only 9% of the tumors. The median survival for patients without NE expression was 7 months (95% confidence interval 4-10 mo) and for patients with NE expression was 12 months (95% confidence interval 6-27 mo). The survival curves do not differ significantly (P = 0.49). NE expression is common in undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium, as it was found in 41% of our cases. In most cases, NE expression is only focally present (≤10% of the cells). There is no difference in overall survival in patients with or without NE expression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)142-147
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Pathology
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2009

Keywords

  • CD56
  • Chromogranin
  • Endometrium
  • Neuroendocrine differentiation
  • Synaptophysin
  • Undifferentiated carcinoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The significance of neuroendocrine expression in undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this