3.6.Relationship between EMT markers and LNM
E-cadherin was found to be downregulated in one (2.9%) and beta-catenin in 12 (35.3%) cases with LNM. Tumoral N-cadherin expression was rated with scores 1 in 33 (97.1%), and 2 in one (2.9%) case with LNM. There was no significant correlation between E-cadherin, beta-catenin and N-cadherin expressions in the tumor and LNM (p=0.254, p=0.491, p=0.776, respectively). There was also no significant relationship between staining patterns and LNM (p=0.255, p=0.328, p=0.176, respectively).
LNM was present in 8 (88.9%) of 9 cases with tumoral Zeb1 positivity. A statistically significant correlation was found between Zeb1 positivity in the tumor and LNM (p<0.001). Zeb1 positivity in the surrounding stroma of the tumor and LNM were compared. In 2 (5.9%) of 34 cases with LNM, the density of Zeb1 expression in the surrounding stroma was below 10% in 2 (5.9%), 11-50% in 18 (52.9%), and over 50% in 14 (41.2%) patients. There was no significant relationship between Zeb1 positivity and LNM in the surrounding stroma (p=0.051). There was no statistically significant relationship between density of αSMA positivity in the tumor periphery and LNM (p=0.379). The data are summarized in Table 2.