Serous Carcinogenesis in the Fallopian Tube: A Descriptive... : International Journal of Gynecological Pathology (original) (raw)

PATHOLOGY OF THE UPPER GENITAL TRACT: Original Articles

A Descriptive Classification

Jarboe, Elke M.D.; Folkins, Ann M.D.; Nucci, Marisa R. M.D.; Kindelberger, David M.D.; Drapkin, Ronny M.D., Ph.D.; Miron, Alexander Ph.D.; Lee, Yonghee M.D.; Crum, Christopher P. M.D.

From the Department of Pathology, Division of Women's and Perinatal Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Departments of Medical Oncology and Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Elke A. Jarboe, MD, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: [email protected]

This work was supported by grants from the NCI (P50 CA10500 [SPORE]: D. Cramer, PI), NCI KO8 CA108748 (R. Drapkin, PI), the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (D. Drapkin, PI), the Francis Ward Pain and TSA Pemberton Funds of the Division of Women's and Perinatal Pathology (C. Crum), and a grant from the Columbia Hospital for Women Research Foundation, Washington, DC (C. Crum).

International Journal of Gynecological Pathology 27(1):p 1-9, January 2008. | DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0b013e31814b191f

Abstract

Summary

The fimbria is the most common site of early serous cancer (tubal intraepithelial carcinoma or STIC) in women with BRCA mutations (BRCA+). A candidate serous cancer precursor-the p53 signature-has been found in nonneoplastic secretory cells of the fimbria, suggesting serous carcinogenesis in the tube (SCAT). This study surveyed fallopian tubes from 3 populations to characterize the morphological and immunohistochemical correlates of SCAT. The SCAT sequence was defined by strong nuclear p53 staining and DNA damage (γ-H2AX+) in secretory cells and subdivided morphologically by (1) degree of nuclear stratification, (2) proliferative index, and (3) degree of disorganized growth. Fallopian tubes from women without a current ovarian cancer, women with BRCA mutations, and women with a coexisting pelvic serous cancer were completely examined. p53 signatures exhibited cuboidal to pseudostratified, polarized p53+ epithelial segments with variable nuclear enlargement and a MiB1 index of 0% to 30%. Tubal intraepithelial carcinomas contained from single (uncommon) to multilayered, poorly polarized, uninterrupted neoplastic cell populations that completely displaced the normal mucosa; MiB1 index exceeded 45% and was usually more than 70%. An uncommon third category, p53-positive foci with features intermediate between p53 signatures and STICs, exhibited preserved epithelial polarity, pseudostratification, incomplete replacement of the adjacent normal ciliated cells, and a MiB1 index between 40% and 75%. Transitions from 1 category to another were documented. Combined with recent reports associating STICs with pelvic serous cancer, this continuum of epithelial change validates the SCAT sequence and the fimbrial secretory cell as the site of origin for many serous carcinomas.