Relation Between p53 Overexpression and Extablished Prognostic Facors in Colorectal Cancer

Jung, Suk In; Whang, Cheung Wung

Abstract

Histopathologic staging of colorectal cancer is known as the most important prognostic factor. However, it is not enough to be used with full confidence in the clinical field, and it is the reason why various other prognostic factors have been intensively investigated. Among these are p53 and PCNA protein. To evaluate the efficacy of p53 expression as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer, 25 specimens were selected. Immunohistochemical staining using the ABC complex method was performed for p53 protein expression in paraffin tissue. The postitive expression rate of p53 protein was 44% of 25 colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens. p53 protein did not correlate with the grade of diffentiation, tumor site, preoperative CEA, Dukes' stage and number of metastatic lymph nodes. But the expression rate of p53 protein was significantly higher in younger patients(under 60) and in larger tumors(over 5cm), statistically(p<0.05). According to this study, it is suggested that p53 protein could not be related to established prognostic factors, but it could be related to the patient's age and tumor size.