Distinct Histologic, Immunohistochemical and Clinical Features Associated With Serous Endometrial Intraepithelial Carcinoma Involving Polyps

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2020 Mar;39(2):128-135. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0000000000000591.

Abstract

The origin of serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (SEIC) is debated, due to its premalignant and independently malignant nature. It often arises next to endometrial serous carcinoma (ESC), with a propensity for polypoid growth. We aimed to better characterize this discrepancy by analyzing the clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of polypoid carcinoma associated with SEIC (P-SEIC), and compared them with usual endometrial serous carcinoma without SEIC (UESC). Consecutive patients with P-SEIC were recruited and compared with UESC controls from our institutional research center. Clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical (IHC, ER, PR, P53, Napsin-A, WT1, P16) were analyzed. BRCA testing results and familial history were also extracted from clinical databases. Welch T test, Pearson χ, and Fisher exact test were performed in SPSS version 23. A total of 37 P-SEIC and 25 UESC were the basis of a case-control study. P-SEIC was associated with more bilateral ovarian involvement (P=0.026), yet showed lower rates of myometrial invasion (P=0.002). P-SEIC showed a statistically different IHC profile: p53+, p16+, ER+, PR+, and WT-1+, and high rates of Napsin-A, while UESC was p53+, p16+, WT-1-, Napsin-A-, with lower rates of ER and PR. We also identified 2 patients who received prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy for BRCA mutations and who subsequently developed P-SEIC with its unique IHC pattern. Our results suggest different underlying expression profiles and possibly diverging molecular signatures between both P-SEIC and UESC. If confirmed in further molecular studies, it could lead to a distinct molecular subclass.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / genetics
  • Carcinoma in Situ / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / genetics
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / metabolism
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / pathology*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyps

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor