p53 protein expression in benign and malignant breast lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate p53 protein expression in imprints from benign and ductal breast carcinoma cases in relation to the histologic grade of malignancy and clinical stage.

STUDY DESIGN

The study group consisted of 60 cases of primary ductal breast carcinomas and 20 benign lesions. For the demonstration of p53 protein expression, an immunocytochemical avidin-extravidin complex technique was applied. Monoclonal antibody p53 was used as the primary antibody, diaminobenzidine as the chromogen and hematoxylin as the counterstain.

RESULTS

Forty-five percent of breast cancer cases showed positive expression of p53. A statistically significant difference in p53 protein expression was observed between grade 1, 2 and 3 carcinomas and stage I, II and III cases. All benign lesions were negative for p53 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Immunocytochemical p53 protein expression in cytologic material is a simple method that can be applied in routine cytologic laboratories for the identification of genetic alterations in primary ductal breast cancer.