Significance of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

Background Thyroid carcinoma ranks as the most common among malignancies of endocrine organs, and a rapid increase in its incidence has been observed over the years. Assessment of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunopositivity in papillary carcinoma thyroid was conducted, and expression was correlated with the clinicopathological parameters. Materials and methods Immunohistochemical detection of EpCAM and EGFR was investigated in 33 thyroidectomy specimens with papillary carcinoma and 10 cases of hyperplastic thyroid nodule. The association between those markers was studied, besides their correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Results Both EpCAM and EGFR showed weak or low expression in hyperplastic nodule compared with higher expression in papillary carcinoma (P<0.001). In cases showing extrathyroid extension, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and advanced TNM stage, EpCAM and EGFR were significantly correlated (P<0.001, 0.01, 0.01, <0.001, 0.02, <0.001, 0.02, 0.02, and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion Combined expression of EpCAM and EGFR may be related to papillary thyroid carcinogenesis, which could be used as therapy for cancer management.