Affiliations: Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of
Ioannina 45110, Hellas | Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School,
University of Ioannina 45110, Hellas
Note: [] Address for correspondence: M.C. Bai MD Assitant Professor of
Pathology Department of Pathology, Medical School University of Ioannina, PO.
Box 1186 45110 Ioannina, Greece Tel :+ 30-651-97792, Fax +30-651-72473 E mail :
nagnanti @ cc.uoi.gr
Abstract: We examined by immunohistochemistry the expression of the bcl-2
protein in sixty-eight cases of operated breast carcinoma patients (stage I, II
and III) and correlated the findings with the prognosis. In 38.3% of the cases
approximately all neoplastic cells were stained positive (complete expression).
A strong impact of complete bcl-2 expression on the clinical outcome was
identified (p=0.01). We consider this study as a new approach. There is
evidence that the assessment of bcl-2 at the level of complete expression
provides important prognostic information for breast carcinoma patients treated
surgically.
Keywords: breast carcinoma, bcl-2, complete expression, prognosis
