title: p53 immunohistochemistry for distinguishing reactive mesothelium from low grade ovarian carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the utility of immunohistochemical staining for p53 in cell block material for distinguishing reactive mesothelium from borderline or low grade ovarian carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin-embedded cell blocks from paracentesis and pelvic wash fluid of 44 cases of ovarian carcinoma and 20 cases containing only reactive mesothelium were immunostained for p53 using monoclonal antibody DO-7. Tumor grades ranged from borderline to high grade and were serous papillary (33), clear cell (3), mucinous (2), endometrioid (2), mixed serous papillary/clear cell (3) and undifferentiated (1). The three authors independently evaluated the staining, including estimation of the percentage and intensity of positive nuclear staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A separation of positive from negative cases was seen when staining intensity was considered the critical parameter; moderate to strong staining was considered truly positive. Seventy-three percent (8/11) of borderline tumors, 80% (8/10) of low grade tumors and 65% (15/23) of intermediate to high grade tumors showed moderate to strong positivity. Percentage of staining was a less-reliable parameter as 25% of negative cases were positive by this assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  p53 Immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibody DO-7 combined with standard morphologic evaluation, may be useful in distinguishing benign reactive mesothelium from borderline or low grade ovarian carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Cell Biology and Anatomy, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pindzola
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kovatich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bibbo
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53