[Relationship between the expression of fragile histidine (FHIT) and the development of vulvar carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between the reduction of FHIT expression of fragile histidine (FHIT) and the development of vulvar carcinoma.

METHODS

The expression of the FHIT product was detected by immunochemistry in the tissue samples of 20 normal vulvas, 22 vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias (VINs), and 60 primary vulvar carcinomas.

RESULTS

The expressive rates of FHIT protein in the squamous epithelium of normal vulvas, VIN I - II, VIN II, and noninvasive and invasive vulvar carcinoma were 100% (20/20), 72.7% (8/11), 45.5% (5/11), and 21.7% (13/60) respectively (P<0.05). The expressive rates of FHIT protein in the well differentiated, intermediately differentiated and poorly differentiated invasive vulav carcinoma were 60.0% (9/15), 20.0% (3/15), and 3.3% (1/30) respectively (P<0.05). The expressive rate of the impaired FHIT protein in the invasive vulva carcinoma with lymphnode metastasis (10%) was lower than that without lymphnode metastasis (27.5%).

CONCLUSION

Abnormal FHIT expression may play an important role in the progression of vulvar carcinoma. The expression of FHIT may provide important information for the prognosis of vulva carcinoma.