Background: p53 alterations are common events in cancer and may have some prognostic ramifications.
Objectives: To investigate the uveal melanoma for: (1) the p53 expression patterns, (2) the relationships among p53 expression and clinicopathological features of these lesions.
Materials and methods: Using Immunoperoxidase-staining methods and mouse monoclonal antibodies, the expression of p53 protein in 60 uveal melanomas was examined.
Results: Based on p53 immunoreactivity, the lesions were divided into two groups: the first group included 9 tumors (15%) and had p53 protein overexpression. The second group included 51 (85%) tumors and was lacking p53 expression. p53 protein overexpression was significantly associated with extraocular extension and vascular invasion (p values, 0.01 and 0.04). No significant correlation was found between p53 protein expression and the clinicopathologic features of these lesions.
Conclusions: p53 protein overexpression occurs in the uveal melanoma and may be associated with some unfavorable histological features (invasion).