DNA ploidy, E-cadherin, beta-catenin expression and their clinicopathologic significance in imprints of non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: To evaluate, in imprints of resected non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), the relationship between DNA ploidy and E-cadherin/beta-catenin expression with classical prognostic factors.

Study Design: A total of 45 patients (28 squamous cell carcinomas and 17 adenocarcinomas) who underwent surgical treatment for NSCLC were examined with immunocytochemistry for the expression of E-cadherin/ beta-catenin imprint smears, which also were stained using the Thionin Feulgen procedure in order to evaluate DNA ploidy in the same cases.

Results: Thirty-two (71.