Immunohistochemical demonstration of several tumour markers in neoplastic and preneoplastic states of the uterine mucosa.

Enzymic immunocytochemical demonstration of five tumour markers (CEA, AFP, kappa-casein, total HCG and its beta-subunit) was performed on various pathological states of the uterine mucosa. CEA was constantly found in areas of atypical hyperplasia and in more than 60% of cancers. kappa-Casein on the contrary was an unexpected but frequent finding in cystic hyperplasia. The other antigens were not, or exceptionally, detected in the tissues. We believe that CEA detection may be a very useful tool in delineating preneoplastic changes of the endometrium while the presence of kappa-casein "storing cells" might point to an unopposed estrogen action.