Low expression of Met-hepatocytic growth factor receptor as an indicator of poor prognosis in thyroid tumors
Clinical implication of Met-hepatocytic growth factor receptor (Met/HGF-R) in thyroid adenocarcinoma tissue was studied on 163 operative thyroid samples (129papillary cancers, 21 follicular cancers, and 13 anaplastic cancers). 49 adenomas, 50 nodular goiters and 50 normal thyroids were compared. Expression of Met/HGF-R was estimated using semiquantitative immunohistochemical method including proportion (limits 0-5) and intensity (limits 0-5) of cell staining and calculation of Met/HGF-R total expression (limit 0-10). Met/HGF-R was not found in normal thyroid tissue, was absent or focally expressed in follicular and aplastic tumors, and was present in different amounts in papillary adenocarcinomas. It is suggested that low expression of Met/HGF-R is an indicator of unfavorable prognosis in papillary thyroid cancer.