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 AND SETTING: 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.

Os fatores prognósticos histológicos podem colaborar para determinar a evolução desta neoplasia. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a expressão imunoistoquímica do p53 e Ki-67 com idade, grau histológico, comprometimento de linfonodos e estadiamento patológico de pacientes com carcinomas epidermóides de laringe. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados trinta casos consecutivos de carcinomas epidermóides de laringe, submetidos à técnica de imunoistoquímica para verificar a expressão dos anticorpos p53 e Ki-67. RESULTADO: A idade média foi de 56,2 anos e a imunoexpressão dos marcadores foi mais observada no grupo com mais de 50 anos de idade, especialmente a do anticorpo Ki-67 (p=0,032). Não houve relação do p53 e Ki-67 com o comprometimento de linfonodos. O Ki-67 se expressou em 70% nos casos de alto grau histológico e 80% nos de baixo, enquanto o p53 em 70% apenas nos de alto grau. O estadiamento patológico mostrou que no grupo dos carcinomas avançados a expressão do p53 foi de 61,5%, enquanto o Ki-67 mostrou positividade para os casos precoces (100%) e avançados (73,1%). CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferenças significantes entre a imunoexpressão do p53 e do Ki-67 em carcinomas epidermóides de laringe, exceto no grupo de pacientes com mais de 50 anos, onde a expressão do Ki-67 foi significativamente maior.

Prognostic histological factors may contribute to determine the evolution of this neoplasia. AIM: To correlate p53 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression with age, histological degree, lymph node involvement and pathological staging in patients with laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas. METHODS: We assessed thirty consecutive cases of laryngeal epidermoid carcinomas submitted to immunohistochemistry to check the expression of p53 e Ki-67 antibodies. RESULTS: Mean age was of 56.2 years and the immunoexpression of the markers was observed in the group with more than 50 years of age, especially that o the ki-67 antibody (p=0.032). There was no relation between p53 and Ki-67 with lymph node involvement. Ki-67 was expressed in 70% of the high histology level cases and in 80% in the low histology ones; while p53 was of 70% only in the high level cases. Pathology staging showed that in the group of advanced carcinomas, p53 expression was of 61.5%, while Ki-67 proved positive for the early cases (100%) and advanced (73.1%). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between p53 and Ki-67 immunoexpression in laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma, except in the group of patients with more than 50 years of age, when Ki-67 expression was significantly higher.