Significance of COX-2 Expressions in Carcinoma of the Gallbladder.
- Author:
Sang Hwa JIN
1
;
Jung Hoon PARK
;
Chang Soo CHOI
;
Hye Kyoung YOON
;
Young Kil CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. gscyk@inje.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Gallbladder Neoplasms;
Cyclooxygenase 2;
Survival Rate
- MeSH:
Adenoma;
Carcinogenesis;
Cholecystitis;
Cholelithiasis;
Coloring Agents;
Cyclooxygenase 2;
Gallbladder Neoplasms;
Gallbladder*;
Humans;
Lymph Nodes;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Survival Rate
- From:Korean Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
2005;9(3):123-127
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Enhanced COX-2 expression has been observed in various solid tumors. A gallbladder carcinoma often evolves from a gallbladder adenoma, or chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. It has been postulated that COX-2 might have an important role in the carcinogenesis of a gallbladder carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to identify the role of COX-2 in the carcinogenesis of gallbladder carcinomas, and find the relationships between COX-2 expression and the prognostic factors, including the survival of patients. METHODS: Three tissue microarray blocks were made from 23 cases of cholecystitis, 40 cases of a gallbladder adenoma and 67 cases of a gallbladder carcinoma. Immunohistochemical stains for COX-2 were performed, and the staining intensity and patterns evaluated. The relationships between COX-2 expression and the histopathological parameters of the gallbladder carcinoma were analyzed, and a postoperative survival analysis also performed. RESULTS: The rates of COX-2 expression were 52.2, 37.5 and 47.8% in the gallbladder carcinomas, gallbladder adenomas and chronic cholecystitis, respectively, and showed no significant differences (p=0.334). The overall expression rate was 46.9%. In the gallbladder carcinomas, COX-2 expression had no significant relationships with the tumor size (p=0.197), histological grade (p=0.859), depth of invasion (p=0.978) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.730). COX-2 expression in the followed-up patients with gallbladder carcinomas showed no relationships with the survival of the patients (p=0.087). CONCLUSION: COX-2 expression may play a role in the carcinogenesis of gallbladder carcinomas, but does not act as a prognostic indicator of a gallbladder carcinoma.
