Evaluation of Tenascin C expression as a prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma

We evaluated the role of Tenascin C as a prognostic marker for hepatocellular cancer in patients treated with radical surgical resection. TNC immunoreactivity was expressed by a score composed of the extension of positivity area and staining intensity. We also evaluated the TNC expression pattern on the basis of the localization (nucleus, cytoplasm, interstitial space). 44 patients (35 males, 79.55%; 9 females, 20.45%) were included in the present study. 25 cases (56.82%) showed TNC expression in less than 10% of the tissue area, 10 cases (22.73%) between 11% and 25%, 7 cases (15.91%) between 26% and 50%, 1 case (2.27%) between 51% and 75%, and 1 case (2.27%) more than 76%. TNC expression was absent in 9 cases (20.45%); in the remaining 35, staining intensity was low in 11 cases (25%), moderate in 13 (29.55%) and high in 11 (25%). Peri- sinusoidal tenascin expression was absent in 17 cases (38.64%), low in 16 (36.36%), moderate in 3 (6.82%), and high in 8 (18.18%). Moderate and intense expression of TNC in the peri sinusoidal space was found to be significantly related to a worse prognosis if compared with patients with absent or low peri - sinusoidal space staining (p<0.01).