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Placental site trophoblastic tumor: p53 gene analysis
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamanashi Medical University, Tamaho, Nakakoma, Yamanashi, Japan.
Background:
Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is the rarest type of trophoblastic neoplasm. Because of its rarity, the clinical behavior and pathogenesis of PSTT are still unclear.
Case:
A 20-year-old woman presented with secondary amenorrhea and irregular vaginal bleeding. Examination of the patient revealed elevated serum hCG and a uterine mass. The specimen obtained by curettage was diagnosed as possible PSTT. The patient was treated with two cycles of EMA/CO, but her uterine mass increased in size. Subsequently, she underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. Microscopic observation revealed a PSTT. To estimate the status of expression of p53 protein and to determine whether p53 gene mutation was present in this PSTT, we carried out immunohistochemical staining for p53 and PCR-SSCP analysis. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 revealed intense nuclear labeling, but no p53 gene mutation was detected in exons 5-8.
Conclusion:
Analysis of the p53 gene may aid understanding of the pathogenesis of PSTT.