p53 protein accumulation in colorectal cancer tissue has prognostic value only in left-sided colon tumours

The aim of this paper is to describe the prospective 10-year follow-up study of prognostic value of p53 protein accumulation in cancer cells in relation to the localisation of tumour in colorectum. Methods: The p53 protein accumulation has been assessed immunohistochemically in tumour tissue samples obtained from 80 selected sporadic colorectal cancer patients. Results: p53 protein accumulation was detected more often in rectum than in colon tumours. Lower survival rates were observed in patients with p53 protein accumulation in cancer cells independent of primary tumour site. Significantly lower cumulative survival rate was detected in the group of patients with left-sided colon cancer. The p53 protein accumulation was an independent prognostic factor in the left-sided colon tumours. Conclusions: The right-sided colon tumours may be developed in p53-independent manner and p53 protein accumulation in cancer cells has prognostic value only in the left-sided colorectal tumours. (C) 2004 International Society for Preventive Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.