p53 Protein Expression in Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast

Overexpression of the nuclear phosphoprotein p53 is the most common genetic anomaly found in primary human cancer and mutation of the tumor suppressor gene p53 has been identified in breast cancer cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of p53 protein expression in patients with mammary infiltrating ductal carcinoma and its correlation with histopathologic grade, lymph node status, tumor size, p53 protein expression and survival. Among 53 cases, p53 protein expression was detected in 26(49.1%) cases by immunohistochemistry. There was no correlation between p53 protein overexpression and histopathologic grade(p=0.09) or lymph node status(p=0.38) and between survival and histopathologic grade (p=0.68) or lymph node status(p=0.52). However, p53 protein expression was significantly correlated with survival(p=0.01) and patients with p53 protein-positive tumors showed poorer survival times. But Cox multivariate analysis showed the lymph node status is significant(p=0.01). The authors conclude that the presence of mutant p53 protein and lymph node status may serve a prognostic role, in a subset of mammary infiltrating ductal carcinoma cases.

Immunohistochemical Study of p53 Gene Expression in Astrocytic Neoplasms

Nineteen astrocytic neoplasms, such as 9 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, 6 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 4 cases of low grade astrocytoma, were analysed in view of the relationship between histopathologic grade, nuclear pleomorphism, grade of mutant p53 gene expression and mean survival time after operation. The histopathologic classification by Ringertz and immunohistochemical stain for mutant p53 gene with the DO-7 anti-p53 oncoprotein mouse monoclonal antibody were applied, and the results obtained were as follows; 1) Among 19 cases, 18 cases were located in the supratentorium, where 13 cases(42%) were located in the left and 17 cases(55%) in the right. 2) The p53 gene expression was detected in 12(63.2%) of the cases, as revealed by positive nuclear staining. All cases of glioblastoma multiforme showed p53 gene expression, compared with two(33.3%) cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and one(25%) case of low grade astrocytoma. The frequency and degree of histopathologic grade(p=0.03). 3) The mean survival time after operation was 29.49+/-4.08 months in cases with p53-negative tumors and 12.93+/-3.14 months in cases with p53-positive tumors(p<0.05). 4) Both histopathological classification and p53 gene expression showed a significant influence on servival(p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). 5) The relative risk for survival time was the highest in p53 gene expression. In conclusion, p53 gene expression appears to be one of the recommendable prognosticators among astrocytic neoplasms.

Surgical Treatment of Chondrosarcoma / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Chondrosarocoma is a malignant, relatively slow-growing cartilaginous tumor that generally has a long natural history. From Feb. 1986 to Jan. 1993, 29 cases of chondrosarcoma were registered in the Department of Orthopedic Suergery of Korea Cancer Center Hospital. We reviewed 23 cases of chondrosarcoma which were treated surgically, aimed at curative procedure. Fourteen patients were male and 9 female. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 31.9(17-59) years. The pelvis was the most frequent site(7 patients) followed by femur(6), scapula(4), tibia(2), and each one case of spine, rib, humerus, and finger. The Enneking s surgical stage was II B (18 cases), II A (1), I B (3) or I A (1). The histological grades were as follows : 4 cases of grade 1; 3 grade 2 and 16 grade 3. Local resection with or without reconstruction were done for 20 cases and amputation or disarticulation 3. Chemotherapy was done in four cases and was not effective. The average follow-up period was 34.2(9-81) months. As complications, local recurrence occurred in 4(17.3%) cases, infection 2(8.7%), fracture 1(4.3%), lymphedema 1 and rediation necrosis of soft tissue 1, Distant metastasis occurred in 7(30.0%) cases: 6 cases to lung and 1 to brain. At final follow up 15 cases were continuous disease free, 3 alive with disease, 4 died of disease and 1 no evidence of disease. The Kaplan-Meier's estimated 5-year actuarial survival rate of total 23 cases was 66. 9%. Seven cases with histopathologic grade less than 2 showed 100% of 5 year actuarial survival rate, even one case is alive with disease at final follow up of 62 months. Fifteen cases of surgical stage II B with histopathologic grade 3 had 55.4% of 5 year actuarial survival rate: ten cases with wide surgical margin 87.5%o five cases with intralesional or marginal surgical margin 25%. Early surgical excision of chondrosarcoma with enough wide surgical margin can prevent local recurrence and metastasis.