Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Tissue Samples From Patients With a Normal Cervix, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, or Early Invasive Cervical Cancer
Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Tissue Samples From Patients With a Normal Cervix, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, or Early Invasive Cervical Cancer
RATIONALE: Studying samples of tissue from patients with or without cancer in the laboratory
 may help doctors identify and learn more about biomarkers related to cancer.

 PURPOSE: This laboratory study is looking at cyclooxygenase-2 expression in tissue samples
 from patients with a normal cervix, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or early invasive
 cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVES:

 -  Determine cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels in biopsy or surgical specimens from patients
 with normal cervical epithelium, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or microinvasive
 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

 -  Correlate COX-2 levels with histological diagnosis and parameters of invasion (i.e.,
 matrix metalloproteinase, microvessel count, and VEGF).

 OUTLINE: Paraffin-embedded tissue samples are analyzed by immunohistochemistry for evaluation
 of cyclooxygenase-2 levels, microvessel count, and matrix metalloproteinase and VEGF
 expression.

 Medical data for study analysis is obtained by retrospective review of patient charts.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

 -  Meets 1 of the following criteria:

 -  Underwent hysterectomy with removal of a normal cervix for diagnosis unrelated to
 cancer or cervical dysplasia

 -  Underwent cervical biopsy or removal of cervical tissue and diagnosed with
 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 1-3

 -  Underwent cervical biopsy and diagnosed with microinvasive squamous cell
 carcinoma of the cervix

 -  Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of normal cervical epithelium, CIN, or microinvasive
 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix must be available for examination

 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

 -  Not specified

 PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

 -  Not specified