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The immunohistochemical profile of the primary and metastatic carcinoma of the clitoris: a case report

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Abstract

We describe the immunohistochemical profile of rare primary squamous carcinoma of the clitoris metastasizing to the bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. Several antigens were assessed immunohistochemically (pRb1, p16INK4A, cyclin D1, cdk4, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), p53, Ki-67, p27KIP1, PTEN, hMLh1, phospho-AKT, collagen IV, leptin and CD90) in both tumors. All the antibodies applied revealed a staining pattern that is typical of primary and metastatic carcinomas. Cyclin D1-cdk4 complex was overexpressed, whereas there was no p16INK4A immunostaining. Moreover, both tumors expressed positivity for p53 protein, but were negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors. The proliferative activity of cancer, assessed by MIB-1 Proliferative Index, amounted to 25% either for primary or for metastatic tumors. As a conclusion, immunohistochemical assessment of various cell-cycle-associated molecules yield clues as to their possible function during the process of spread of rare neoplasm originating from the clitoris.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mrs. E. Firlej for her excellent technical assistance. The study was granted by Lublin University School of Medicine, Lublin, Poland (PW 150/04 and Dz St 121/05, AS).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IInd Department of Gynecology, Lublin University School of Medicine, 8 Jaczewski str, 20-954, Lublin, Poland

    Andrzej Semczuk, Katarzyna Jankiewicz, Aneta Adamiak & Tomasz Rechberger

  2. Department of Pathology, Lublin University School of Medicine, Lublin, Poland

    Danuta Skomra & Elżbieta Korobowicz

  3. Department of Pathophysiology, Lublin University School of Medicine, Lublin, Poland

    Katarzyna Jankiewicz

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  1. Andrzej Semczuk
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  2. Danuta Skomra
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  3. Katarzyna Jankiewicz
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  4. Aneta Adamiak
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  5. Elżbieta Korobowicz
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  6. Tomasz Rechberger
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Correspondence to Andrzej Semczuk.

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Semczuk, A., Skomra, D., Jankiewicz, K. et al. The immunohistochemical profile of the primary and metastatic carcinoma of the clitoris: a case report. Arch Gynecol Obstet 273, 187–191 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-005-0050-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-005-0050-x

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