The relationships between p16INK4a immunohistochemistry expression with histopathological subtypes in cervical adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

Background:

Cervical adenocarcinoma is one of the epithelial malignancies that frequently occurs in the cervix after squamous cell carcinoma. The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical carcinoma is well known, with HPV being identifiable in almost all cervical squamous carcinomas. Research on HPV in cervical adenocarcinoma is less extensive but generally suggests a significant association. p16^INK4a, a tumor suppressor gene, serves as a marker for oncogenic HPV infection and can aid in diagnosing cervical adenocarcinoma.

Methods:

This research cross-sectional study with 34 cases cervical of adenocarcinoma that have been diagnosed at Haji Adam Malik central Hospital, Medan, Prof. Dr. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis Hospital, North Sumatra University, and Putri Bidadari Hospital Langkat. Histopathological subtypes were assessed using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, followed by immunohistochemical staining for p16^INK4a. The Somers' d test evaluated the relationship between p16^INK4a expression and adenocarcinoma subtypes.

Results:

The study found that among HPV-associated adenocarcinomas, 20 cases (58.8%) had strong positive p16^INK4a expression, while 4 cases (11.8%) were negative. For HPV-independent adenocarcinomas, 5 cases (14.7%) had strong positive expression, 2 cases (5.9%) had weak positive expression, and 3 cases (8.8%) were negative. Statistical analysis using the Somers' d test resulted in a p-value of 0.097, indicating no significant correlation (p-value > 0.05).

Conclusion:

No significant association was found between p16^INK4a expression with histopathological subtype in cervical adenocarcinoma.