Significance of P-53 antigen in malignant melanomas and naevi of the head and neck area.

DO-7 antibody against p-53 antigen was applied for investigation of melanomas of facial skin (25 cases), oral cavity (17 cases), eye (18 cases) and naevi (25 cases). The p-53 index value (% of p-53 positive cells) was correlated with the thickness of the tumour, the presence of metastases and survival time. The difference in p-53 index between naevi and melanomas was statistically significant (p < < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between the p-53 index value and the thickness of the tumour, the presence of metastases and follow-up for patients with skin, oral and ocular melanomas. The possible diagnostic and prognostic significance of p-53 antigen in melanomas and naevi of the head and neck area is discussed.