Immunohistochemical expression of p53 in basal cell carcinoma of skin.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of p53 in basal cell carcinoma of skin. Study Design: It was cross sectional study. Setting: Pathology department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Period: Six months after approval from the Hospital Ethical Committee. Material and Methods: In a descriptive background, 50 cases were involved in the study. Cases were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients of all age group (Males and Females) that was diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma of skin by Hematoxylin & Eosin were included in study. Other epithelial tumors of skin, appendageal tumors and metastatic tumors were excluded. Cases were evaluated for expression of tumor suppressor protein-p53 by immunohistochemical technique applied on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks. Results: Out of 50 cases, majority of patients were found to be male. Ratio of male to female was 2.6:1. Age range of patient was found between 21-98 years. Mainstream of the patients were between 41-60 years. Nose was found to be frequently involved site 28 (56%) cases. p53 expression was seen in 42 (84%) cases while in 8 (16%) cases p53 expression was not seen. Conclusion: It was found that p53 expression rate is very high in basal cell carcinoma of skin. This high expression of p53 immunoreactivity was explained in terms of its pathogenetic role and mutation in basal cell carcinoma.