P16INK4a Overexpression in Cervical Biopsies Collected from Women with Normal and Equivocal Pap Smears

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide Immunohistochemical expression of p16INK4a has been relatively well established in cervical biopsy specimens.Objectives: Our hypothesis is to evaluate the usefulness of p16 immunostaining on tissue sections in borderline cases. Methods: This is a case-control study with a total of cervical samples from 60 women (25-66 years age) divided into three groups (I, II and III). The study was conducted at the Colposcopy Clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital – Medical City Complex, during the period from June 2013 through July 2014. The samples were analyzed by cytopathology, histopathology and p16INK4a immunostaining.Results: Group I showed negative p16 reaction. Among group II; one (5%) showed mild positive, 9 (45%) moderate positive and 10 (50%) high positive reactions. Group III specimens showed p16 positivity. Conclusion: p16INK4a immunohistochemistry is one of the best candidates for histologically indeterminate lesions.