p53, Fas (APO 1) and Ki-67 immunostaining in testicular germ-cell tumors and correlation with pathologic stage, tumor size, necrosis, and vascular invasion

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships among immunohistochemical expression of p53, Ki-67, Fas antigens (CD 95) and tumor size, pathological stage, and the presence of vascular invasion and necrosis in testicular germ-cell tumors. Representative archival tissues from 36 testicular germ cell tumors were studied for p53, Ki-67 and Fas antigens by immunohistochemistry. All of the tumors' size, pathological stage, and the presence of vascular invasion and necrosis within tumors were recorded. Signif-icant correlation with pathological phase was found for Ki-67 and Fas expressions. No correlation was determined between any antibody and maximum tumor diameter or necrosis. While a positive correlation (p<0.05) with vascular invasion in mixed germ-cell tumors was found with Ki-67 staining intensity, no significant correlation (p>0.05) was found with Fas and p53. In the previous and current studies, the percentage of embryonal carcinoma and the presence or absence of vascular invasion in NSGCT appear to be reliable prognostic factors to identify patients at high risk and low risk for occult retroperitoneal disease. Additionally, our results, suggest that Ki-67 plays a role at all stages of tumorogenesis and that it could be used as an auxiliary to other parameters in tumor prognosis. It was concluded that Ki-67 and Fas expressions may be important prognostic parameters in the staging of germ-cell tumors.