[Lectin histochemical assay in endometrial proliferation, hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma]

The binding capacity of five lectins in endometrial proliferation, hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma was studied histochemically. The staining density of ConA and WGA bound to intercellular and basal portion, the positive reaction and the density of both agglutinins to luminal borders were increased with the proliferative degree of endometrial glandular cells from proliferation to neoplasm, with the most significant binding in adenocarcinoma. However, WGA and RCA binding to basal portion of malignant cells was weak, but stronger in the outer edge of tumor mass. The authors suggest that lectin binding capacity provides a new probe to judge the proliferative degree and malignant transformation of endometrial glandular cells.