title: Immunocytochemical assessment of p53 protein to detect malignancy in increased cell-yield brush cytology from the biliopancreatic tree.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malignancies arising from the biliopancreatic tree are often diagnostic challenges for the gastroenterologist and the pathologist, especially when strictures without masses are present.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the diagnostic yield of p53 immunocytology for the detection of malignancies in material obtained by biliopancreatic tree brushing by means of an increased cell-yield procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cytologic specimens obtained from biliary and pancreatic tree brushing in 24 patients with biliary strictures suspected for malignancy were assessed by conventional Papanicolau staining and p53 immunocytochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Papanicolau staining detected 67% and p53 87% of the malignancies in the study group. p53 immunocytology displayed excellent sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  p53 immunocytology may represent a useful diagnostic tool in the detection of malignancies from biliary and pancreatic tree brushing, especially when using an increasing cell-yield procedure.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Pathology, Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. villanacci@spedalicivili.brescia.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villanacci
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cestari
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giulini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cengia
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Missale
authors.forename: Angiola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berenzi
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonardi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baiocchi
authors.forename: Gabrio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bassotti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53