Abstract

Aims: Gallbladder carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignant tumours occurring in Chile and the mortality rate in both sexes ranks among one of the highest in the world. Mutation of p53 tumour suppressor gene has been demonstrated in many tumours. Our aim was to determine protein expression of p53 gene in early and advanced gallbladder carcinoma. Methods and results: Protein expression of gene p53 was studied by immunohistochemical means in 191 gallbladder carcinomas (157 primary turnouts, 34 metastases) and 25 controls. In 86 out of 191 cases (45%), protein expression of gene p53 was observed. Differences related to sex, age, or race were not observed. All gallbladder controls were negative. Twenty- five per cent of well-differentiated tumours were p53 positive, while moderate or poorly differentiated carcinomas reached 50% (P= 0.04). p53 expression was observed in 23.5% of early carcinomas and in 48.2% of advanced carcinomas (P= 0.01). No differences between primary tumours and metastasis were demonstrated. Conclusions: Protein expression of p53 tumour suppressor gene is observed in 45% of gallbladder carcinomas. The absence of expression in controls and in normal mucosa adjacent to tumours suggests its utility in differentiating atypical gallbladder epithelia from neoplastic lesions.