The fragile
histidine triad (FHIT) gene is a candidate tumor suppressor gene. Aberrant expression of the encoded
protein and inactivation of FHIT correlate with several clinicopathological parameters in various
tumor types, including
cervical cancer, but Fhit expression has rarely been studied in cervical
adenocarcinoma. We assessed
Fhit protein expression in 35 surgical specimens of invasive
adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix and investigated whether expression alteration on immunohistochemistry staining is associated with important clinicopathological features. Considerably reduced or absent Fhit staining was observed in 11
cancers (31.4%). By univariate analysis,
Fhit protein expression was significantly associated with nodal status (P = .002), histologic grade (P = .000), and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P = .032). Depth of invasion,
tumor size, or parametrial invasion did not show important association with Fhit. Lymph node status, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and histologic grade are known prognostic factors of cervical
adenocarcinoma, and Fhit status on immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated significant association with
tumor aggressiveness. Staining of biopsy specimens for Fhit is worthy of study as a prognostic tool.