Role of p53 as a prognostic marker in breast carcinoma and its correlation with tumor size, tumor grade and lymph node metastasis

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among females worldwide. p53 tumor suppressor gene regulates the cell cycle and DNA repair and its over-expression in breast cancer is associated with a worse prognosis. This study was done to correlate p53 over-expression with histopathological parameters such as tumor size, tumor grade and lymph node metastasis in breast carcinoma. This retroprospective study was conducted in a tertiary care centre, western U.P. retroprospectively from July 2014 to June 2019. Immuno-histochemical evaluation of 50 histologically confirmed cases of breast carcinoma was done. A total of 50 patients of breast carcinoma were analysed. Most common was Invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST). Most common age group involved was 40-49 years and majority were of age more than 45 years of age. Majority of breast carcinoma cases were of left breast and involving upper outer quadrant. In majority of cases, the tumor size was of more than 2 to 5cms. Majority of cases of breast carcinoma were of grade II according to Nottingham Modified Bloom Richardson System. More than half of patients with lymph nodes showed metastatic deposits. Majority of cases were in moderate prognostic index group. Out of 50 cases, 24(48%) cases showed p53 expression (≥5%). High p53 expression (>50%) was seen in 8(16%) cases of breast carcinoma. A statistically significant association was found between p53 expression, tumor size and lymph node metastasis. No statistically significant association was found between p53 overexpression and tumor grade. Overall, p53 overexpression was found to be poor prognostic factor and its detection may help in risk catergorization and designing future target therapies.