Angiogenesis in Ectopic Endometrium of Adenomyosis

Objective To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ectopic endometrium of adenomyoma and their relation with the pathogenesis of adenomyoma.Methods Endometrial specimens were obtained from 40 normal uteri and 40 with adenomyoma. VEGF and TNF-α was detected by immunohistochemical SABC staining.Results The expression of VEGF and TNF-α in epithelial and stromatic cells in the ectopic endometrium of adenomyoma was significantly higher than that in the normal controls (P0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of VEGF and TNF-α in ectopic endometria of adenomyoma may cause increasing local angiogenesis and enhance the growth and survival of ectopic endometrial implants.