Immunohistochemical Comparison of p53 Expression, Intensity and Distribution in Different Papillary Urothelial Cancers

Abstract

Background: Given the importance of differential diagnosis of different papillary urothelial cancers, expression, intensity and distribution of p53 were evaluated in different bladder cancers using immunohistochemistry. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, archived samples of patients with different papillary urothelial cancers in Shohaday-e-Khalij Fars Hospital were selected. The samples were grouped according to the reported diagnosis into papilloma, low-malignant potential papillary tumors, low-grade papillary carcinoma, and high-grade papillary carcinoma. The samples were then immunohistochemically stained for p53. Results: The majority of patients with papillary urothelial carcinoma were positive for p53. However, they were different in terms of intensity (p<0.001) and distribution (p<0.01). Low-malignant potential and low-grade malignant samples demonstrated low levels of p53 expression, whereas high-grade malignant samples exhibited high levels of its expression. Comparison of p53 distribution revealed focal expression in low-malignant potential group and diffused expression in malignant groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest p53 expression, intensity and distribution as a useful marker for differential diagnosis and therapeutic management of different urothelial cancers.

Keywords

• bladder
• cancer
• p53
• immunohistochemistry
• differential diagnosis