HER-2/neu expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives : 1) To study the expression of HER-2 in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and Cervical carcinoma 2) To correlate expression of HER-2 with histological type, grade and stage of tumor. Methods : A total of 34 cases were collected during the period from October 2012 to June 2014. Clinical data was collected from medical records. The histopathology slides were analyzed and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies were done on suitable blocks with marker HER-2. Results: Thirty four specimens including 20 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (58.83%), 4 cases of adenocarcinoma (11.76%) and 10 cases of CIN (29.41%) were analyzed. HER-2 expression was noted in 7 out of 10 cases (70%) of CIN. Out of 12 poorly differentiated squamous carcinomas, 8 showed 3+ positivity and 4 showed 2+ positivity. Amongst the 5 moderately differentiated squamous carcinomas, 3 showed 3+ positivity, 1 showed 2+ positivity and 1 case showed 1+ positivity. Amongst the 3 well differentiated squamous carcinomas, 1 showed 1+ positivity and the remaining 2 showed 2+ positivity. Out of the 4 adenocarcinoma cases, 2 moderately differentiated carcinomas showed 3+ positivity and the remaining 2 well differentiated carcinomas showed 2+ positivity. All FIGO stage 4 cases showed 3+ positivity. Stronger HER-2 expression was also noted among cervical carcinoma cases with lymph node and parametrial involvement. Conclusions :The intensity of HER-2 expression increased progressively as grade of lesion increased and with presence of lymph node and parametrial involvement. All the cases under FIGO stage 4 showed strong (3+) HER-2 expression.