The aim was to analyze the protein expression of apoptotic genes caspase-3, caspase-8 and bcl-2 with the immunohistochemistry technique, correlating with tumor grade (I, II and III) and with the patient survival in order to understand the basic mechanism of tumoral transformation. The immunohistochemistry reactions on 50 samples of squamous cell carcinoma were carried out with the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method and antigen recovery. The analyses were made using the graduation method "in crosses" (0 to 4 crosses - no stain to more than 75% of positives cells) and in categories (low, intermediate, high) of the cytoplasm immunoreactivity of the epidermoid penile carcinoma cells. It was observed a statistically significant difference when the expression of caspase-3 were compared with the grades I and II of the tumor (p=0.0010) and when comparing the patient survival with the grades I and II of the tumor (p=0.0212). The protein bcl-2 was more expressed than caspase-3 and caspase-8 proteins, suggesting that the apoptotic rate in this carcinoma is low. The higher expression of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 suggests a higher preservation of the tumoral cells.

El objetivo fue analizar la expresión de las proteínas de genes de apoptosis caspasa-3, caspasa-8 y Bcl-2-con la técnica de inmunohistoquímica, en correlación con el grado tumoral (I, II y III) y la supervivencia del paciente con el fin de comprender el mecanismo básico de la transformación tumoral. Se analizaron las reacciones inmunohistoquímicas sobre 50 muestras de carcinoma de células escamosas mediante el método de la inmunoperoxidasa avidina-biotina y la recuperación de antígeno. Los análisis se realizaron utilizando el método de graduación "en cruces" (0 a 4 cruces - no tinción a más del 75% de las células positivas) y en categorías (baja, media, alta) de la inmunorreactividad citoplasmática de las células de carcinoma epidermoide de pene. Se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa cuando la expresión de la caspasa-3 se comparó con los grados I y II del tumor (p = 0,0010) y cuando se comparan la supervivencia de los pacientes con los grados I y II del tumor (p = 0,0212). La proteína bcl-2 se expresa más que la caspasa-3 y caspasa-8, lo que sugiere que la tasa de apoptosis en este carcinoma es baja. La mayor expresión de la proteína anti-apoptótica bcl-2 sugiere una mayor preservación de las células tumorales.

O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a validade de um índice de risco (IR) no prognóstico de metástases ganglionares no carcinoma epidermóide do pênis (CEP). Foram analisados 53 pacientes com CEP atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da FMRP-USP, de janeiro de 1978 a dezembro de 1995. A idade variou de 32 a 97 anos. Os tumores foram graduados de acordo com a classificação de Broders e estadiados retrospectivamente (TNM 1999). O IR foi determinado pela soma de TeG (IR = T+G). A linfadenectomia inguinal bilateral (LD) foi indicada naqueles que apresentaram gânglios suspeitos após a antibioticoterapia ou que vieram apresentar alterações durante o período de observação. Faleceram 17 pacientes; A LD foi realizada em 14 pacientes e os 39 restantes permaneceram em observação clínica, sendo que em 8 deles foi feito LD após tempo mediano de 9 meses. Dos pacientes com índice de risco 2 e 3 92% e 80% respectivamente não apresentavam metastase ganglionar, ao passo que a totalidade daqueles com IR=6 tinha gânglios comprometidos. A associação dos grupos 2 e 3, comparada ao conjunto 4, 5 e 6, mostrou percentual maior de comprometimento nestes últimos (p = 0,0046). Dos 36 pacientes inicialmente No, 27 apresentavam IR 2 ou 3, dos quais 5 evoluíram para N+ (19%); os 9 restantes eram IR > 4 e 3 também evoluíram para N+ (33%). Apesar da diferença, não houve significância estatística entre eles (p = 0,3837). Embora tenha ocorrido maior comprometimento naqueles com IR > 4, o índice de risco não foi capaz de identificar previamente pacientes que evoluíram para N+.

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of a risk index (RI) based on tumor pT stage and grade on the prognosis for inguinal lymphactic metastasis. We included 53 patients bearing schamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) treated by penectomy at the Hospital das Clínicas da FMRP-USP from 1978 to 1995. Age range varied from 32 to 97 years. Tumor grading was determined according to Broders method and staging by 1999 TNM system. RI was calculated by the sum of pT stage and grade (RI = pT+G). Bilateral inguinal lymphdenectomy was carried out within 6 weeks the penectomy in 14 patients cN+ at the presentation. The remaining 36 cases were kept under surveillance. In 9 of these patients required a delayed regional lymphadenectomy due to nodal relapse (median follow-up: 9 months). Proportions of pN0 patients according to RI were: 92% - 2, 80% - 3 and 0% - 6. The proportion of pN+ patients with a pooled RI of 4, 5 and 6 was significantly higher than that seen in pooled cases with lower RI (p = 0,004). From 36 patients initially cN0, 27 were RI 2 or 3 ( 5 of them progressed later on to pN+ , 19%) and 9 were RI ³ 4 (3 of them had progression to lymphatic spread, 33%). But, the difference observed in cN0 patients was not significant (p = 0,3). In conclusion, patients with RI ³ 4 were at higher risk of nodal spread when the overall sample was at stake, but this cutoff level for RI had no predictive value for the patients that were initially cN0.