Mmp9 and fascin-1 expressions in endometrioid type endometrial carcinomas and relationship between prognostic factors

Endometrial carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer in the World, fourth in Turkey, also the most common cancer in developed countries in gynecologic tract. Endometrial carcinoma is divided into two subtypes according to endocrine features, morphological features and clinical course; estrogen dependent type 1 (prototype endometrioid type) and estrogen independent type 2 (prototype serous type). Those with endometrioid type histology, constitute 80% of endometrial carcinomas. At the time of diagnosis, endometrioid type usually consists of stage I, good-moderate differentiated cancers with a high chance of curing. Although the prognosis is generally good, the prognosis for some subgroups may be poor. Molecular studies on endometrial carcinogenesis is continuing. The information about invasive potential and prognosis of cancer is very important in terms of directing clinical behavior and treatment. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has come into being by the epithelial and stromal interactions that many mediators regulate on the invasive surface of cancer in the cancer invasion mechanism. This mechanism is based on the acquisition of mesenchymal characteristics of epithelial cancer cells that gain the capacity to invade on invasive surface of cancer. There are a number of studies that emphasize the importance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Fascin-1 in the EMT process and in tumor invasion. Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationship between the prognostic parameters and the expression of Fascin-1 and MMP9 antibodies, which are thought to be effective in the invasion process of carcinogenesis in endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma. Between 2011 and 2017, 100 cases with Endometrioid type Endometrial carcinoma were included. In our study, when we grouped tumor diameters according to 2 cm cut off value, we found a significant correlation with tumor diameter and lymphovascular invasion. On the other hand, when we compared the mean of tumor diameters with prognostic factors, there was a significant correlation between the presence of FIGO stage, presence of myometrial invasion, presence of cervical invasion, adnexial involvement, lymph node metastasis and tumor size. Among the 100 cases, there were 81 cases with Fascin-1 staining intensity score of 5 and below, and there were 19 cases over 5 score. There were 39 cases that staining score was 5 and below with MMP9, and 61 cases in over 5 score. Fascin-1 and MMP9 expressions were not statistically correlated with histopathological and clinical prognostic parameters.