Expression of tissue factor in breast carcinoma and its clinical significance

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of tissue factor (TF) and the diaguosis and prognosis in breast carcinoma. Methods TF expression was studied with immunohistochemical method in specimens of 45 cases of primary breast carcinoma and normal breast tissue, and 30 cases of benign pathological changes of breast. The related clinical and pathological data were analyzed. Results (1) In 45 breast carcinoma tissue and normal breast tissue, TF was detected in 31 and 4 cases respectively and TF was detected in 4 of 30 breast benign pathological changes. Expression of TF was significantly correlated with occurrence of breast earciuoma( P 0.001). (2) Expression of TF was not related to patients age and menopause or not( P 0.05), but was positively correlated with tumor size, histological grading and lymph node metastases ( P 0.05). (3) Expression of TF was positively correlated with C-erbB-2, p53, PCNA, and it was negatively correlated with the level of estrogen receptor( P 0.05). But there was no relationship between TF and the level of progestogen receptor( P 0.05). Conclusion The high positive expression of TF in breast carcinoma suggest it may play a role in the occurrence and developing process of breast carcinoma, and it can be a valuable marker for estimating the prognosis of breast cancer patients.