Expressions of PAX-2 and PTEN in endometrial lesions and their correlation with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia

Objective To observe the expression of PAX-2 and PTEN in different types of endometrial lesions, and to study their relationship with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). Methods 60 cases of endometrial hyperplasic lesions and 70 cases of endometrial carcinoma were enrolled. All cases were reclassified by using the diagnostic criteria of EIN, and PAX-2 and PTEN were stained to compare the difference among them. Results The deletion rates of PAX-2 in benign hyperplasia, EIN and endometrial carcinoma were 39.5% (15/38), 72.7% (16/22) and 78.6% (55/70), respectively, and there was a statistical difference (χ 2= 21.664, P= 0.000). The deletion rates of PTEN in benign hyperplasia, EIN and endometrial carcinoma were 47.4% (18/38), 54.5% (12/22) and 75.7% (53/70), respectively, and there was no statistical difference (χ 2= 2.878, P= 0.411). Conclusion The staining of PAX-2 could be considered as a reliable adjuvant diagnostic method in the diagnostic criteria of EIN, however, the loss of PTEN just should be regarded as a suggestion of EIN, not a confirmed diagnostic basis. Key words: Endometrial hyperplasia; Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia; Endometrial neoplasms; PAX-2; PTEN