The prognostic value of p53 in superficially infiltrating transitional cell carcinoma.

Approximately 1/3 of T1 bladder cancers treated by endoscopic resection alone will progress. Prognostic factors are needed to help selecting appropriate treatment for these tumors. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the relation between p53 nuclear overexpression and disease progression. Tumors from 59 patients were studied by means of immunohistochemical nuclear staining. Forty tumors showed p53 nuclear overexpression while 19 tumors scored negative for mutations. We could not demonstrate any correlation between mutations of the p53 protein and tumor grading. p53 nuclear overexpression was not related to disease progression.