title: Placental site trophoblastic tumor: p53 gene analysis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamanashi Medical University, Tamaho, Nakakoma, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoshi
mesh_terms: 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