Immunohistochemical Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Different Histopathological Grades of Muco-epidermoid Carcinoma of Salivary Glands

Abstract

Objective: To determine the immunohistochemical expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in different histopathological grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) in salivary glands.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2015 to September 2016 at Armed Forces Institte of Patholgy Rawalpindi (AFIP), to determine the immunohistochemical expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in different histopathological grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) in salivary glands. Thirty cases of MEC were retrieved from record files along with their paraffin blocks at AFIP, Rawalpindi. New histological diagnosis was made on freshly prepared Hematoxylin and Eosins section followed by application and analysis by immunostaining. Chi-square test was used to find the effect of EGFR on different grades of MEC.
Results: Out of 30 cases, 24 cases were positive for EGFR. In case of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 8 cases were weak positive, whereas remaining six were negative. Out of eight cases of intermediate grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 3 were week positive, whereas remaining five are strong positive. In high grade mucoepidermoid out of eight cases seven were strong positive. P-value for EGFR was calculated as .036. EGFR expression increased with increase in grade of tumor.
Conclusion: The expression of EGFR increased with increase in grade of tumor.
Key words: EGFR, Mucoepidermoid carcinoma, Salivary Glands