Sodium Iodide Symporter Protein Expression and Clinicopathological Variables in Pure Testicular Seminomas

Abstract

BACKGROUNDTestis carcinomas cause cancer-related morbidity and mortality in adults. Radioiodine I-131 (RAI) therapy may be an alternative for the treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and localization of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) expression in pure testicular seminomas, two lymph nodes with seminoma metastasis, and two embryonal carcinomas by immunohistochemically methods. MATERIAL and METHODSThe localization of NIS expression was defined as positive according to >10% membranous staining. Cytoplasmic staining was noted as present/absent. NIS expression was compared to the invasions. RESULTSThere was no rete testis invasion in 66.7% (26/37) and epididymis invasion in 84.6% (33/37) of the cases. Lymphovascular invasion was seen in 64.1% (25/37) of the cases. There was no membranous staining in pure seminomas, but it was present in two embryonal carcinomas. Cytoplasmic staining was present in 41% (16/34) of the tumors. Cytoplasmic NIS expression was present in 72.7% (p=0.135) and 75% (p=0.6) of the rete testis and epididymis invasions, respectively. There was no statistically important relationship with the cytoplasmic expression, lymphovascular invasion, and the other parameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONResearch of NIS expression in pure seminomas with larger series may clear the option of RAI treatment in seminomas. Also, evidence of different expression profiles in non-seminomatous testicular tumors was determined.