Cyclooxygenase Expression in Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: To determine cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 expression in conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Prospective experimental case series of 24 tissue samples diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma between 2010 and 2012 at Foundation Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Luz and determine cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 expression.

Results: 24 slides with diagnosis of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma were processed; 50% from male patients and 50% from female patients. From the 24 samples; 23 rendered primary CSCC and 1 recurrent CSCC. In all of the samples, COX-2 and COX-1 were expressed, although these did not correlate to the level of invasion and grade of differentiation.

Conclusions: We found the expression of COX-1 to be a predominant marker in conjunctival tissue. COX-2 expression was found in higher levels at zones or borders of the tumor; as confirmed by an histopathological result of squamous cell carcinoma.