Evaluation of endometrial polyps in terms of mast cells, estrogen and progesterone receptors, MMP-2, MMP-9, and COX-2 markers and distribution of endometrial polyps in menopausal/premenopausal breast cancer patients

Öznur Öner; Levent Tütüncü; Zafer Küçükodacı

doi:10.5281/zenodo.7407249

Authors

Öznur Öner Uşak University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Uşak, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2858-3781
Levent Tütüncü Okan University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0849-8996
Zafer Küçükodacı Anadolu Medical Center Hospital, Department of Pathology, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5170-9093

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7407249

Keywords:

Breast cancer, endometrial polyps, mast cells, MMP-2, COX-2

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the expression of ER, PR, mast cell, MMP-2, MMP-9, and COX-2 in endometrial polyps, to evaluate whether they have a role in etiopathogenesis and to reveal whether the information obtained in this way can be used in treatment. Additionally, it aimed to show the distribution of these markers in endometrial polyps in menopausal and premenopausal breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods: In this study, 51 patients who were reported as having "endometrial polyp" as a result of pathological examination of endometrial curettage or hysteroscopic polyp extirpation materials in Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpaşa Training Hospital were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: While the rate of patients with moderate immunohistochemical staining of MMP-2 in postmenopausal patients (47.1%) was found to be significantly higher than the premenopausal group (11.8%), the rate of patients with weak immunohistochemical staining (47.1%) in premenopausal patients was compared to the postmenopausal group (14.7%) was found to be statistically significantly higher. The prevalence of immunohistochemical staining of MMP-9 in the group receiving HRT among postmenopausal patients was found to be statistically significantly higher than in those who did not receive HRT (p=0.012). The immunohistochemical staining intensity of MMP-9 in the group receiving HRT among postmenopausal patients was also found to be statistically significantly higher than those who did not receive HRT (p=0.012).

Conclusions: As a result, MMP-2, MMP-9, and mast cells may contribute to the endometrial polyp formation steps in postmenopausal patients. The possible contribution of MMP-2, MMP-9, and mast cells to the etiopathogenesis may resolve the contradictions in the formation mechanism of postmenopausal polyps. If this information is proven as a result of more comprehensive studies to be done later, it may be possible to prevent endometrial polyps and to create non-surgical treatment options, especially in the general postmenopausal patient group and in patients receiving HRT.

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