Clinical feature analysis and correlated apoptosis factors study of recurrent lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas

Abstract

Objective To analyze clinical features of recurrent lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenoma and study correlated apoptosis factors-survivin and caspase-3. Methods It was a retrospective case series.Clinical data of lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas,recurrent pleomorphic adenomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas were collected from January 2003 to January 2007.All these surgical specimens were studied with immunohistochemical staining of survivin and caspase-3. Results Most recurrent pleomorphic adenomas displayed destruction of orbital wall and irregular boundary.There were statistically significant differences between recurrent pleomorphic adenomas and pleomorphic adenomas (P ＜0.05) while no statistically significant differences between recurrent pleomorphic adenomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas (P ＞0.05) in expression of survivin.And there were no statistically significant differences in expression of caspase-3 (P ＞0.05).The expression of survivin was negatively correlated with caspase-3 (r =-0.995,P ＜0.05). Conclusions Although the recurrent lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas are benign in pathology,they display malignant tumors in biological behaviors.We should consider their malignant biological behaviors in the therapy.Both over expression of survivin and descended expression of caspase-3 may play an important role in recurrence of pleomorphic adenomas. Key words: Lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenoma; Recurrent; Clinical features; Apoptosis; Survivin; Caspase-3