Expression of p16 in Neoplastic Squamous Lesions of Cervix – A Descriptive Study

Umadevi K R; Vani Mundath; Beena George

doi:10.21276/apalm.3861

Authors

Umadevi K R Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, India
Vani Mundath Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, India
Beena George Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College, Kannur, Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/apalm.3861

Keywords:

cervical cancer, p16, immunohistochemistry, lsil, hsil, squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide, primarily caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. p16 overexpression, detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), is strongly associated with HPV-related high-grade lesions and squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted over a period of one year. Thirty-nine histopathologically diagnosed cases of cervical squamous neoplastic lesions from cervical biopsy and hysterectomy specimens were included. p16 immunohistochemistry was performed, and expression was evaluated using proportion and intensity scoring; statistical analysis was done using the Fisher's exact test.

Result: Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) constituted 56.4%, High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) 10.3%, and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 33.3% of cases. p16 negativity was predominantly seen in LSIL (95.2%), while all except one SCC showed moderate to strong nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity (Proportion Score +3 to +4, Intensity score 2 to 3). HSIL showed intermediate expression. Both proportion and intensity scores were significantly associated with lesion grade (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: p16 overexpression correlates with higher-grade squamous lesions and carcinoma. It is a valuable supplementary biomarker for early diagnosis and grading of cervical squamous neoplasms.

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