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. 2001 Aug;85(3):333–336. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2001.1900

Longstanding survival without cancer progression in a patient affected by endometrial carcinoma treated primarily with leuprolide

I Noci 1, P Borri 1, G Bonfirraro 1, O Chieffi 1, A Arcangeli 2, A Cherubini 2, S Dabizzi 2, A M Buccoliero 3, M Paglierani 3, G L Taddei 3
PMCID: PMC2364073  PMID: 11487260

Abstract

We report here a case of a patient affected by endometrial cancer and treated primarily with leuprolide, the surgical approach being unfeasible due to her compromised conditions. The therapy was continued for more than 6 years, and no progression of the disease was observed. During this period, some histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of the tumour (morphology, grading, proliferation and apoptotic index, E-cadherin expression) were performed. Furthermore, the expression of m-RNA for luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors was determined. The results showed a discrepancy between some biological parameters of the tumour and its clinical characteristics. In fact, despite features suggestive of a progression of the cancer (such as the increase of both tumour grading and proliferating capacity (MIB-1), and a fall in the reparative process (appearance of mutated p53, reduced expression of both bcl-2 and c-erb-2) being detected, neither local invasion nor metastatic lesions were clinically observed. This discrepancy might be due to the maintenance of high levels of E-cadhezin. Moreover, since this tumour was shown to express mRNA for LHRH receptors, new evidence is provided about the favourable impact of LHRH analogue treatment in patients affected by endometrial cancer. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Keywords: endometrial cancer, LHRH analogues, leuprolide

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Selected References

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