[Apoptosis in tumors].

The apoptotic mode of cell death is an active and defined process that plays an important role in the development of multicellular organisms and in the regulation and maintenance of the cell populations in tissues under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Defects in apoptosis can result in cancer. The apoptotic process is often described by use of apoptotic index. A high apoptotic index may predict good outcome in some tumor types and poor survival in patients with some other types of tumors. According to study results, the prognostic value of apoptosis might be tumor specific and its value as an independent prognostic index has yet to be established.