Immunoexpression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in Malignant Surface Epithelial Tumours of Ovary

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynaecological cancer and approximately 70% are diagnosed in an advanced stage with 5 years survival rate of only 35%. The aim of this study was to find out the distribution of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunoexpression in different histological types and grades of malignant surface epithelial tumours of ovary. A total 54 cases of malignant surface epithelial tumours of ovary from North Okkalapa General and Teaching Hospital and Thingangyun Sanpya General Hospital from August 2015 to September 2016 were included. This study included 30 cases (56%) of serous tumour, 18 cases (33%) mucinous tumour, 5 cases (9%) clear cell tumour and one case (2%) of malignant Brenner tumour. Of the 54 cases, 11 cases (20%) were well differentiated, 33 cases (61%) moderately differentiated and 10 cases (19%) poorly differentiated tumours. Different histological types and grades of malignant surface epithelial ovarian tumours were determined for EGFR immunoexpression by peroxidase antiperoxidase method. Out of 54 cases, 31 cases (57.4%) were found to be positive for EGFR immunoexpression and 23 cases (42.6%) showed negative immunoexpression. Among 31 positive cases of EGFR, 54.8% were serous, 32.3% mucinous, 9.7% clear cell and 3.2% were malignant Brenner tumour. The highest EGFR immunoexpression was found in malignant serous, tumour (54.8%). Regarding the histological grades of the 31 positive cases, EGFR immunoexpression was found 9.7% in well differentiated, 64.5% moderately differentiated and 25.8% in poorly differentiated tumours. Increased EGFR immunoexpression was observed predominantly in higher histological grades of ovarian cancers. Since, high EGFR levels have a negative prognostic role in ovarian cancers, further studies with long-term follow-ups are required to determine the prognosis and management of patients with malignant surface epithelial ovarian tumours.