EGFR and cervical carcinoma: Previous studies have shown EGFR to be frequently overexpressed in primary cervical cancer (Pfeiffer et al, 1989; Hale et al, 1993; Kristensen et al, 1996; Scambia et al, 1998; Kersemaekers et al, 1999; Ngan et al, 2001; Gaffney et al, 2003); however, the mechanism of EGFR activation (i.e., gene amplification or activating mutation) in cervical cancer is poorly understood.