Correlation between proliferation and apoptosis in different histological types of uterine leiomyoma

75 cases of simple, cellular and mitotically active leiomyoma (LM) were studied immunohistochemically with the use of monoclonal antibodies against bcl-2 ("DAKO", 1:80), bax ("Calbiochem, 1:80), c-myc ("Novocastra", 1:100), CD 95 ("Dianova, 1:50), Ki67 ("Dianova", 1:40), PCNA ("Novacastra", 1:100). Apoptosis was assessed by the Tunnel method (ENZO Apop Detek Cell Death Assay System). Simple LM is characterized by apoptosis domination over proliferation in leiomyocytes. Size increase of such a tumor is probably the result of hypertrophy of leiomyocytes and stromal elements proliferation as well as secondary changes. Cellular LM is characterized by about similar level of tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. Size increase of cellular LM is related to hypertrophy and leiomyocytes number increase probably due to their life lengthening. Mitotically active LM is characterized by domination of proliferation over apoptosis of tumor cells this being main condition of this tumor growth. Various types of LM differ by their stroma composition: fibrocyte prevailing in a simple LM, angiogenesis in mitotically active LM. Combination of adenomyosis with endometrium hyperplasia results in enhancement of proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells.