Prognostic value of immunohistochemically detected p53 expression in vulvar carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Overexpression of the p53 protein has been reported to correlate with poor prognosis in several types of tumors. To the authors' knowledge, there are no studies concerning the prognostic value of p53 protein overexpression in squamous cell vulvar carcinoma.


METHODS
Twenty-five cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage I-II were examined for p53 protein overexpression using immunohistochemistry. The correlation of p53 protein overexpression with clinical stage, histologic grade, and overall survival was investigated. Follow-up ranged from 36 to 120 months.


RESULTS
Clinical stage and histologic grade did not correlate with p53 protein overexpression. p53 protein overexpression was associated with poorer overall survival (log rank: P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemically detected p53 protein overexpression is significantly correlated with a reduced overall survival rate for patients with vulvar carcinoma.
Kohlberger
P
P
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Vienna University Medical School, Austria.
Kainz
C
C
Breitenecker
G
G
Gitsch
G
G
Sliutz
G
G
Kölbl
H
H
Tschachler
E
E
Reinthaller
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53