Alteration of the K-Ras Gene Expression in Atypical and Nonatypical Hyperplastic Endometrium

Background: endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy that has often proceeded by a premalignant phase. modern molecular and immunostaining 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 nonatypical hyperplastic endometrium. methods: in a prospective study in the referral gynecologic hospital in tehran, immunohistochemical evaluation of k-ras has performed on 72 consecutive specimens in two following groups: endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (n: 36), and endometrial hyperplasia with atypia (n: 36). staining of cells has evaluated in arbitrary quantitative methods in regards to both slides area staining and intensity of color reaction.results: k-ras immunoreactivity has seen in 3/36 (8.3%) cases of non atypical hyperplasia and in 2/36 (5.6%) cases of atypical hyperplasia (p: 0.64).conclusion: 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.