[A study of Bcl-2 expression in normal endometrium and endometrial carcinoma]

To make an initial inquiry into the correlation of development and prognosis with the expression of Bcl-2 protein in endometrial carcinoma, we detected the Bcl-2 protein expression in 40 normal and 60 malignant samples of the endometrium by means of an immunohistochemical technique. We observed that Bcl-2 expression varied with menstrual cycle, becoming stronger in proliferative phase and then declining in secretory phase. Bcl-2 expression in endometrial carcinoma was much weaker than that in normal endometrium, and Bcl-2 was particularly expressed in adenoacanthoma, papillary adenocarcinoma and simple adenocarcinoma. The higher grade and stage were, the stronger Bcl-2 expression was (P < 0.01). In 5 cases of endometrial carcinoma with hyperplastic endometrium, Bcl-2 expression of carcinoma was obviously weaker than that of hyperplastic endometrium. So we conclude that Bcl-2 overexpression may contribute to the formation of hyperplastic endometrium, that obvious reduction of Bcl-2 expression in endometrial carcinoma may promote apoptosis of cells, and that Bcl-2 over-expression may be associated with good prognosis.