Bcl-2 Receptor Expression in Patients With Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors: An Immunohistochemical Analysis Comparing Leiomyoma, Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential,

OBJECTIVE: Bcl-2 protein is an apoptosis-inhibiting gene product that prevents the normal course of apoptotic cell death in a variety of cells. Additionally, bcl-2 can promote cell replication by reducing the requirement for growth factors. This protein seems, therefore, to play an important role in the growth of tumors. Our aim was to investigate the diferent expression of bcl-2 in uterine leiomyomas, smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), and leiomyosarcomas (LMIS). Furthermore, the correlation between bcl-2 expression and various clinicopathologic parameters in leiomyosarcomas was assessed to evaluate its prognostic value. METHODS: This study included 26 cases of leiomyoma, 22 cases of STUMP, and 21 cases ofLMS of the uterus. Bcl-2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry from paraffin-embedded tissue. The immunohistochemicalfindings were compared and correlated with diferent clinicopathologic parameters. Clinical information, including follow-up data, was obtained from the database of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics