P53 DELETION AS A GENETIC-MARKER IN UROTHELIAL TUMOR BY FLUORESCENCE IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

In order to investigate the significance of p53 deletion, 42 specimens of transitional cell carcinoma were analyzed by interphase cytogeneti cs with a fluorescence in situ hybridization technique and compared wi th clinicopathological and cytochemical parameters. In total, 27 (64%) and 16 (38%) specimens demonstrated p53 deletion and overexpression, respectively. The p53 deletion was significantly correlated,vith grade (P < 0.01), stage (P < 0.05), S-phase fraction (P < 0.05), and DNA pl oidy (P < 0.01), while p53 overexpression correlated only with grade ( P < 0.05). The dose correlation of p53 deletion with clinicopathologic al parameters suggests p53 deletion to be of clinical importance to in dicate the malignant potential of human urothelial tumors.