Clinicopathological parameters of cervical cancer based on the expression of p16INK4A proteins

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 275 cases of cervical cancer (CC) in our hospital, and investigate the clinicopathological parameters of cervical cancer based on the expression of p16INK4A proteins. Methods: The clinical information of 275 patients with cervical cancer were retrospectively analyzed between 2006 and 2011, including the patients' age, clinical FIGO stage, differentiation, histologic grade, infiltration depth, treatment, pathological diagnosis after surgery, and results of following-up. Immunohistochemistry was also done on sections of confirmed cancer specimens without prior chemotherapy/radiotherapy. Results: Among various clinicopathological parameters, the median age was 48 years old. The grade was significantly associated with histological type, HPV infection and with lymph node invasion. FIGO stage was strongly correlated to the infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis. P16INK4A expression was significantly correlated with histologic grade. However, there were no differences between p16INK4A staining and patient's age, histopathology and lymph node metastases. Conclusion: The incidence of cervical cancer becomes increasingly younger. Additionally, p16INK4A can function as a diagnostic marker of cervical carcinomas.