Flow cytometric DNA and p53 analysis in superficially infiltrating bladder carcinoma

Mutations in the p53 gene occur frequently in bladder cancers. Better prognostic factors are needed to help select appropriate treatment for patients with TCC stage T1. Paraffin-embedded tumors from 73 patients with TCC stage T1 were processed for two-parameter flow cytometry, measuring both p53 protein and DNA. There were no statistically significant differences between the WHO grades with respect to p53 protein staining. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences between diploid, tetraploid and aneuploid tumors regarding content of mutant p53 protein. Neither were any statistically significant differences observed when ploidy and WHO grade were grouped together. Progression of disease was not correlated with positive p53 protein staining. These results indicate that mutant p53 protein cannot be used as a prognostic factor in TCC stage T1.