SIGNIFICANCE OF P-53 ANTIGEN IN MALIGNANT MELANOMAS AND NEVI OF THE HEAD AND NECK AREA

DO-7 antibody against p-53 antigen was applied for investigation of me lanomas of facial skin (25 cases), oral cavity (17 cases), eye (18 cas es) and naevi (25 cases). The p-53 index value (% of p-53 positive cel ls) was correlated with the thickness bf the tumour; the presence of m etastases and survival time. The difference in p-53 index between naev i and melanomas was statistically significant (p < < 0.01). A signific ant correlation was found between the p-53 index value and the thickne ss of the tumour; the presence of metastases and follow-up for patient s with skin, oral and ocular melanomas. The possible diagnostic and pr ognostic significance of p-53 antigen in melanomas and naevi of the he ad and neck al ea is discussed.