Placental site trophoblastic tumor: p53 gene analysis.
BACKGROUND
Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is the rarest type of trophoblastic neoplasm. Because of its rarity, the clinical behavior and pathogenesis of PSTT are still unclear.


METHODS
A 20-year-old woman presented with secondary amenorrhea and irregular vaginal bleeding. Examination of the patient revealed elevated serum hCG and a uterine mass. The specimen obtained by curettage was diagnosed as possible PSTT. The patient was treated with two cycles of EMA/CO, but her uterine mass increased in size. Subsequently, she underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. Microscopic observation revealed a PSTT. To estimate the status of expression of p53 protein and to determine whether p53 gene mutation was present in this PSTT, we carried out immunohistochemical staining for p53 and PCR-SSCP analysis. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 revealed intense nuclear labeling, but no p53 gene mutation was detected in exons 5-8.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of the p53 gene may aid understanding of the pathogenesis of PSTT.
Iwamoto
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamanashi Medical University, Tamaho, Nakakoma, Yamanashi, Japan.
Nara
M
M
Minai
M
M
Hirata
S
S
Hoshi
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001483:Base Sequence; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018245:Trophoblastic Tumor, Placental Site / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy