The significance of apoptosis in the endometrial carcinoma

Objective: To study the phenomenon and significance of apoptosis in endometrial carcinoma. Methods: Formalin fixed paraffin embedded specimens from 19 patients with endometrial carcinoma were studied. Apoptotic cells were detected by the methods of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated Dutp nick end labeling(TUNEL). Also,19 cases of adenomyosis were used as Control group.The apoptotic index was counted. Results: The apoptotic index was 2.2%～9.4%(5.24%±1.73%) in endometrial carcinoma and 0.5%～4.5%(1.24%±0.85%)in Control group.There was obvious difference between two groups,P0.01. Conclusion: The high apoptotic rate may show the compensating ability in human body to prevent developing progress of endometrial carcinoma.The numbers of apoptosis may have its significance for the judgement of prognosis in endometrial carcinoma.