Association of endocan expression with clinicopathological prognostic parameters in breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignancy in women. Some molecules, including endocan, are still under investigation as potential prognostic factors in BC. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to determine the relationship between endocan expression and clinicopathological prognostic parameters in BC. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-five patients diagnosed with BC were included in the present study. The immuno-reactivity scoring (IRS) system was used to reveal the tissue endocan expression levels. RESULTS: We found that endocan expression is associated with tumor necrosis, tumor size, and the presence of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) in BC. There was no relationship between endocan expression and survival as well as other clinicopathological prognostic parameters. CONCLUSION: Endocan overexpression in BC is associated with some prognostic parameters, including tumor necrosis, tumor size, and the presence of LCIS. Further studies with larger series are needed to reveal the clinical and therapeutic implications of endocan in BC.