IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF SEVERAL TUMOR MARKERS IN NEOPLASTIC AND PRENEOPLASTIC STATES OF UTERINE MUCOSA

Enzymic immunocytochemical demonstration of 5 tumour markers (CEA, AFP, κ-casein, total HCG and its β-subunit) was performed on various pathological states of the uterine mucosa. CEA was constantly found in areas of atypical hyperplasia and in more than 60% of cancers. κ-Casein on the contrary was an unexpected but frequent finding in cystic hyperplasia. The other antigens were not, or exceptionally, detected in the tissues. The authors believe that CEA detection may be a very useful tool in delineating preneoplastic changes of the endometrium while the presence of κ-casein 'storing cells' might point to an unopposed estrogen action.