p53 expression in patients with malignant and benign breast diseases

Immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein was studied in FNA specimens of 20 breast ductal carcinomas, 20 fibroadenomas and 20 atypical ductal hyp erplasia of the breast. Nine cases of breast carcinomas (45%), five fibroad enomas (25%) and four atypical ductal hyperplasia (20%) were found to be p5 3-immuno-positive. A statistically significant difference was found among p 53 staining index of breast carcinomas (mean 72,55%), fibroadenomas (mean 4 1,2%) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (mean 34%). Variations in p53 express ion among individual breast carcinomas was found, and these variations may correlate with prognosis.