Immunocytochemical assessment of p53 protein to detect malignancy in increased cell-yield brush cytology from the biliopancreatic tree.
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.
Villanacci
Vincenzo
V
2nd Department of Pathology, Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. villanacci@spedalicivili.brescia.it
Cestari
Renzo
R
Giulini
Stefano
S
Cengia
Paolo
P
Missale
Guido
G
Berenzi
Angiola
A
Rossi
Elisa
E
Bonardi
Massimo
M
Baiocchi
Luca
L
Bassotti
Gabrio
G
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*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53