Variation in mast cell density playing a significant role in prognosis of uterocervical lesions: A hospital based study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Uterocervical lesions are one of the most common lesions in women, causing various symptoms and complications. They include wide range of pathologies from inflammatory lesions to malignancies. Mast cells play a major role in biological events in various parts of the body. They involve in host immunological anti-tumour response, angiogenesis and tumour invasion. This study is done to study and compare the mast cell density in various uterocervical lesions.

Methods: All the cervical biopsies, endometrial biopsies and hysterectomy specimens received in the Department of Pathology were included in the study. Sections were prepared and stained with routine Hematoxylin and Eosin stain and diagnoses were made. Toluidine Blue stain was subsequently done on these sections and number of mast cells/10 High Power Field (HPF) was assessed. Results were compared in various uterocervical lesions.

Results: 44 samples were included in the study. The mean value of mast cells was calculated. It was found that maximum number of mast cells was seen in endocervical polyps (137/10 HPF) and least number in endometrial (2/10HPF) and cervical (3.5/10HPF) carcinomas.  

Conclusion: Mast cells have different roles in inflammatory and neoplastic lesions of uterus and cervix. They are found to be more active in inflammatory and benign uterocervical lesions and least number was seen in malignancies of uterus and cervix. Thus the pathologists can to some extent assess the prognosis of the lesions based on mast cell density using a simple and cost effective technique.