The Prognostic Value of P53 Immunostaining in Node-Negative Breast Carcinoma
Prinya Soontrapornchai MD*, Apinop Chanvitan MD*, Sittichai Koontongkaew PhD**, Somkiat Sunpaweravong MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla ** Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, Bangkok
Background : P53 plays a key role in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, DNA repair, and angiogenesis. Although
some studies have reported as prognostic factor for poor survival in node-positive breast cancer, controversy
about possible prognostic index for node-negative still exists.
Objectives : To look for correlations between the expression of the p53 protein and clinicopathological
parameters, and to assess its prognostic value in node-negative invasive ductal breast carcinoma.
Materials and Methods : Immunohistochemistry using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 71 node-
negative breast carcinomas in Songklanagarind Hospital. Data were analyzed with respect to tumor size,
estrogen receptor, and survival.
Results : P53 mutations were found in 12 patients (17%). Expression of p53 was not associated with tumor
size, estrogen receptor, and overall survival. Mean follow-up time was 164.4 months (median 163 months).
Conclusion : P53 expression was not a significant prognostic factor for survival in node-negative breast
carcinoma.
Keywords : Breast carcinoma, P53, Prognostic factor
