Diagnostic Utility of Notch-1 Immunocytochemistry in Endometrial Cytology

Objective: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the diagnostic utility of Notch-1 immunocytochemistry in distinguishing endometrial glandular and stromal breakdown (EGBD) from endometrial adenocarcinoma in endometrial cytology. Study Design: Samples of normal endometrium, EGBD and endometrial adenocarcinoma were subjected to immunocytochemical staining for Notch-1, and we examined the labeling index (LI) of Notch-1 (the ratio of intranuclear Notch-1-positive cells to total cells). We compared (1) the Notch-1 LI in normal endometrium, (2) the Notch-1 LI between normal endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma, and (3) the Notch-1 LI in normal endometrium, EGBD and endometrial adenocarcinoma. Results: In analysis item 1, the LI of Notch-1 was 32.9 +/- 8.4, 19.4 +/- 8.2 and 12.5 +/- 7.5% in proliferative endometrium, secretory endometrium and atrophic endometrium, respectively. In analysis item 2, the LI of Notch-1 in endometrial adenocarcinoma was 45.2 +/- 7.4%, which was significantly higher than that in normal endometrium. In analysis item 3, the LI of Notch-1 in EGBD was 31.3 +/- 8.3%, which was significantly lower than that in endometrial adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: In conclusion, Notch-1 immunocytochemistry is a useful method for distinguishing between EGBD and endometrial carcinoma in endometrial cytology. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel