Proliferation profile of endometrial polyps in post-menopausal women

Objective: To determine whether or not the presence of c-erbB2 over-expression in endometrial polyps affects the percentage of cells positive for Ki-67 proliferation marker. Methods: Thirty-five patients with endometrial polyps were submitted to polypectomy by hysteroscopy. Ki-67 and c-erbB2 over-expression were investigated in the polyps by immunohistochemistry. Results: The presence of c-erbB2 over-expression by immunohistochemistry was observed in 80% of endometrial polyps and was associated with higher proliferation rates as determined by the number of positive Ki-67 cell nuclei. In c-erbB2-negative polyps, the proliferation rates were low. Conclusion: Ki-67 and c-erbB2 over-expression are frequent in endometrial polyps in post-menopausal women. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.