Alteration Of The K-Ras Gene Expression In Atypical And Nonatypical Hyperplastic Endometrium

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy that has often proceeded by a premalignant phase. Modern molecular and immune staining methods for precancerous lesions diagnosis have been expanded. One of the genetic alternations in the endometrial cancer carcinogenesis is the mutational activation of the K-ras oncogene. K-ras mutation has recognized to occur at an early stage of neoplastic progression in the endometrium. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression pattern of K-ras gene in atypical and nonatypic hyperplastic endometrium. In a prospective study in the referral gynecologic hospital in Tehran, immune histochemical evaluation of K-ras has performed on 72 consecutive specimens in two following groups: endometrial hyperplasia without atypical hyperplastic endometrium (n: 36), and endometrial hyperplasia with atypical hyperplastic endometrium (n: 36). Staining of cells has evaluated in arbitrary quantitative methods in regards to both slides area staining and intensity of color reaction. K-ras immunoreactivity has seen in 3/36 (8.3%) cases of nonatypical hyperplasia and in 2/36 (5.6%) cases of atypical hyperplasia (P: 0.64). We have not establish any significant differences in K-ras expression between the atypical and nonatypical hyperplastic endometrium, and our data has supported this view that K-ras mutation is a very rare event in human endometrial carcinogenesis.