Phosphor/sulphur ratio: an indicator of malignant uterus change

Oncol Res. 2005;15(4):215-7. doi: 10.3727/096504005776382279.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to establish a correlation between gynaecological diseases (myoma, adenocarcinoma) and phosphor/sulphur (P/S) ratios of different regions of the uterus. Routine histological specimens were reexamined with the intention to select representative regions of the uteruses for element analysis. Conventional hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections were used to identify histological alterations by light microscopy. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) investigations were carried out to analyze the morphology and the related element composition of the samples. The results of the nonparametric statistical test (Wilcoxon rank-sum test) indicate that the P/S ratios were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma (0.8891 +/- 0.0757) than in myoma (0.4713 +/- 0.0306). P/S ratios of different pathologic regions of uteruses seem worth examining in a larger study population. Combination of routine histological examinations with element analysis of specimens may have useful applications in patients who have undergone radiation therapy and may identify a pattern for local recurrence at certain sites.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Adenocarcinoma / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma / metabolism
  • Leiomyoma / pathology*
  • Leiomyoma / surgery
  • Leiomyoma / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Phosphatidylcholines / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / analysis*
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Sulfur / analysis*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / surgery
  • Uterine Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Uterus / metabolism
  • Uterus / pathology*
  • Uterus / surgery
  • Uterus / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulfur