Objective: To determine the expression of cyclin D1 and PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) in endometrial hyperplasias and neoplasias.
Study design: Analytical study.
Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at BMSI, JPMC, Karachi, from January 2008 to December 2012.
Methodology: Analysis of endometrial samples, comprising of hysterectomies and curettage, was carried out. Immunohistochemical staining was done for PTEN and cyclin D1 expression.
Results: Fifty-three endometrial samples including 23 endometrial carcinomas, 6 complex hyperplasias with atypia, 14 complex hyperplasias without atypia, 6 simple hyperplasias without atypia and 4 normal proliferative endometrium were analyzed. Fifty-two percent (12 out of 23) and 48% (11 out of 23) cases of endometrial carcinomas showed complete loss of PTEN expression and cyclin D1 over expression, respectively. Five (5 out of 6) cases of complex hyperplasias with atypia and 64.28% (9 out of 14) cases of complex hyperplasia without atypia showed complete loss of or diminished expression of PTEN whereas 66.66% (4 out of 6) cases of endometrial hyperplasia with atypia and 50% (7 out of 14) cases of endometrial hyperplasia without atypia showed cyclin D1 overexpression (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Loss of PTEN, expression and cyclin D1 overexpression was seen in a significant number of well differentiated endometrial adenocarcinomas and complex hyperplasias with atypia, suggesting both as an early event in endometrial carcinogenesis.