A pilot study on risk factors and p53 gene expression in colorectal cancer

Of 311 colorectal cancers diagnosed in 1984-86 in the county of Ostergotland, Sweden, 179 were included in a case-control study, and, of these, 70 were investigated using immunohistochemical staining for p53 gene mutations. Alcohol use as well as medication with hydralazine-containing antihypertensive drugs, but not heredity were associated with p53 staining. The study is offered to illustrate the possible value of investigating molecularly defined tumour subtypes in relation to specific risk factors.