Overexpression of p53 protein and c-erbB-2 protein in small cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri.

Twenty-eight primary small cell carcinomas of the cervix uteri were examined immunohistochemically for overexpression of p53 protein and c-erbB-2 protein. Twenty-one per cent of the cases showed positive immunostaining for p53 protein, whereas no staining was observed using the antibody against c-erbB-2. Our results indicate that altered expression of p53 protein may be involved in the development of small cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri.