ABSTRACT

In this study we analyzed immunocytochemical expression of MIB-1, HER2/neu and CD34 in stage II and III testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumors to investigate if these factors may be useful in determining the prognosis of the disease. Orchiectomy specimens of 64 patients were studied for MIB-1, HER2/neu and CD34 immunostaining. In 47% and 30% of the cases MIB-1 immunostaining level was under the median value in patients with stage II and III disease, respectively. The intensity of immunostaining with CD34 was (+) in 31% of the cases, (++) in 40% of the cases and (+++) in 29% of the cases in stage II tumors. The intensity of CD34 immunostaining was (++) in 26% and (+++) in 73% of the patients with stage III tumors. None of the specimens were stained with HER2/neu. The intensity of CD34 and MIB-1 immunostaining increased with advancing stage. This study revealed that MIB-1, CD34 or HER2/neu immunostaining are not good prognostic factors to predict the survival in patients with stage II and III testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.