Background and Aim: Transitional cell carcinoma of bladder (TCC) is a relatively common cancer among the males. The tumor progression is associated with expression or modulation of several gene products that control apoptosis and proliferation. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between tumor expression of p53 and TCC histologic grade.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, the data regarding 35 cases with bladder carcinoma diagnosed at the pathology laboratory of Emam Reza Hospital- retrieved from the hospital records– was analyzed. Sections from paraffin-embeded tissues were retrieved and stained for p53 oncoprotein using immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. P53 oncoprotein results in relation to tumour grade were analyzed statistically at the significant level of P≤0.05. Results: Among 45 patients 39 cases (87%) had transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) 4 cases (9%) squamous cell carcinoma and 2 cases (4%) anaplastic carcinoma. Out of 39 cases with TCC, 9 (23.1%) were grade I, 14 (35.9%) grade II and 16 (41%) grade III. After IHC staining, over expression of P53 was found in 4 (44.4%) of 9 patients with grade I, 10 (71.4%) of 14 patients with grade II and 15(93.8%) of 16 Cases with grade III. The number of p53 positive was 29 cases (74.4%) out of 39 patients and was significantly higher in high-grade TCC (P= 0.026).
Conclusion: Regarding the results of the study, the accuracy of immunohistochemistry technique to diagnose P53 mutation seems to be around 90%. However, to obtain better results assessing a study with larger number of patients is recommended.