Comparison Of The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Protein Expression Between Primary Non-small Cell Lung Cancer And Paired Lymph Node Metastases

Objective:To compare the expression and consistency of the epidermal growth factor receptor protein between primary non-small cell lung cancer and paired lymph node metastases. Methods:Expression of EGFR was investigated immunohistochem-ically in paired samples of primary non-small cell lung cancer and corresponding lymph node metastases of 50 cases. Results:Positive (1+,2+or 3+) EGFR immuno-staining was evident in 37 of 47 (78.7%) analysed NSCLC primary tumors, and in 76.6% of the corresponding lymph node metastases(P>0.05); EGFR overexpression (2+or 3+) was found in 51.1%(24/47) of the NSCLC primary tumors and 48.9%(23/47) of the corresponding metastases (P>0.05); adenocarcinoma primary tumor and lymph node metastasis rate of EGFR overexpression was higher than squamous cell carcinoma(P< 0.05). EGFR was expressed negative,1+,2+or 3+ in Primary lesions, the lymph node metastasis report was also expressed negative,1+,2+ or 3+ of t32 cases (68.1%,32/47), EGFR expression have consistency, and moderate intensity (K=0.562, P=0.000). When EGFR expression was classified as positive or negative, discordance between the primary tumors and the corresponding metastases was observed inl4.9%(7/47):in 4 cases, EGFR was expressed in the primary tumor but not in the metastasis, while three samples showed EGFR expression in the metastasis but not in the primary tumor. Regarding EGFR overexpression, thirteen out of the 47paired samples (27.6%) were discordant for EGFR status between the primary site and the metastases:only 7 patients who had 2+ or 3+ in the primary tumors and changed to 0 or 1+ in lymph node metastases, and another six patients who had 0 or 1+ in the primary tumors and changed to 2+ or 3+ in lymph node metastases. Age> 59 years, adenocarcinoma and stage III NSCLC primary lesions and lymph node metastases consistency strength of a high degree of EGFR expression. Conclusion: primary non-small cell lung cancer and corresponding lymph node metastases have high expression of EGFR, EGFR overexpression is closely related with the pathological types of NSCLC:adenocarcinoma is higher than squamous cell carcinoma of EGFR overexpression; The EGFR expression of primary non-small cell lung cancer and corresponding lymph node metastases exist consistency; The EGFR expression of primary tumor and lymph node metastasis exists a high degree of consistency in age>59 years, adenocarcinoma and stageâ…¢NSCLC.