Proliferative activity of carcinoma of the papilla of vater - an immunohistochemical study demonstrating proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna).

The expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in carcinomas of the papilla of Vater were studied. The PCNA LI of the specimens ranged from 13.0 to 72.8% (mean +/- standard deviation=43.1 +/- 16.4%). The tumors with lymph node involvement had a higher PCNA LI than those without lymph node involvement. The PCNA LI of tumors extending to duodenum or pancreas was significantly higher than that of tumors restricted to the muscle of the sphincter of Oddi. These results indicate that PCNA LI is one of the important factors indicating spread of tumor, i.e., lymph node involvement and depth of invasion.