Increase of bcl-2 Protein Expression in Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the bcl-2 protein expression in 22 cutaneous basal cell carcinomas (BCC) of the head and neck, and to compare it with its aggressive behavior. Method: Tumors were histologically classified in non-aggressive (BCC 1) and aggressive (BCC 2) and then submitted to the immunohistochemistry technique with the streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method using the anti-bcl-2 antibody. Results: After proceeding to morphological analysis, sixteen tumors (72.7%) were considered aggressive and six (27.3%) non-aggressive. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that thirteen (59.1%) lesions were positive staining and nine (40.9%) were negative to the bcl-2 protein. Considering the positive lesions, 12 (92.3%) were aggressive and one (7.7%) non-aggressive. The relation between bcl-2 protein staining and the tumor aggressiveness was statistically significant (p<0.05 - Fisher's exact Test). Conclusion: The results suggest a relationship between the bcl-2 protein expression and the histological aggressiveness grade in the BCC of the head and neck group studied may exist.

Keywords

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Skin cancer
• Bcl-2 genes