[Expression of p53 gene protein in squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesion of vulva].

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between p53 gene protein expression and vulvar carcinoma.

METHODS

Expression of p53 gene mutative protein was determined by immunohistochemical technique in 17 specimens of vulva squamous cell carcinoma, 11 of atypical hyperplasia, 22 of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, 34 of hyperplastic dystrophy, 48 of mixed dystrophy. Normal skin samples from abdomen and legs, and adjacent tissues of vulvar cancer were served as controls.

RESULTS

All specimens of normal skin showed no p53 gene mutative protein expression. However, p53 protein positive rates were 52.9% (9/17) in carcinoma group, 54.5% (6/11) in atypical hyperplasia, 13.6% (3/22) in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus group, 20.8% (10/48) in mixed dystrophy, 14.7% (5/34) in hyperplastic dystrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

p53 gene mutative protein had a higher expression rate in vulva squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesion than that in various types of vulva dystrophy (P < 0.01). These data suggested that overexpression of p53 gene mutative protein may be related to the oncogenesis of vulva malignancy.