p53 AND c-erb B-2 EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENT BREAST LESIONS

Abstract

The expression of p53 protein and over expression of c-erb B-2 oncoprotein was examined immunohistochemically in a series of 50 breast lesions. 31 cases were malignant breast lesions and 19 cases were benign breast lesions.

Expression of p53 was present in 17 cases out of 31 (54.8%) of malignant cases. 5 cases were IDC Gil (16%), 9 cases were IDC Glil (29%), 2 cases were mucoid (6.5 %) and I cases was squamous cell carcinoma (3.2 %) . No expression of p53 in invasive lobular carcinoma in contrast to other common types of mammary carcinoma.

There was a trend of increasing number ofp53 positive cases in high grade tumors than in low grade ones in IDC. (P = 0.008). Also there was a significant relationship between p53 expression and stromal lymploid reaction (P = 0.044). No relationship was found between p53 expression and size of tumor, Patient's age and type of tumor. As regards the benign group all cases were negative for p53 expression except the lactating adenoma.

p53 protein expression is a common event in lmman breast cancer and is present in both DCIS and invasive mammary carcinoma. Abnonnal expression of p53 protein may be implicated in the early stages of mammary carcinoma progressiOn.

c-erb B-2 over expression was present in 14 cases out of 31 ( 45% ). All positive cases were IDC Gil and Glii. 5 cases (16%) were IDC Gil and 9 cases (29%) were IDC GIII no case stained positive for c-erb B-2 over expression in mucoid carcinoma, ILC