Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women worldwide and the second most common gynecological malignancy. It has the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. The overall 5‐year survival rate of patients with ovarian cancer is only about 30%, mainly due to absence of symptoms at early stages and its poor prognosis. It has been demonstrated that dysregulation of the genes involved in apoptosis, such as Bcl2 and p53, plays an important role in tumor formation. Bcl2 is capable of inhibiting apoptosis. p53 functions as a tumor suppressor by arresting cell cycle at G1 phase and by triggering apoptosis. Mutation of p53 gene is one of the most common changes associated with many cancers including ovarian cancers. This prospective study was conducted over a one and half year period from January 2021‐ August 2022 on 32 specimens of surface epithelial tumor of ovary received in 10% neutral buffered formalin at the Department of Pathology, at a tertiary care center. The tissues were stained with Haematoxylon and Eosin. Representative sections were taken for immunohistochemistry using antibodies against Bcl2 and p53 proteins were performed. 32 cases of surface epithelial tumors comprising 19 benign, 6 borderline and 7 malignant epithelial tumors were studied. Serous cystadenoma was the most commonly observed epithelial ovarian tumour. Majority of the malignant and borderline cases occurred in the age group of 41‐60 years. Most of the cases were unilateral with right sided predominance. Bcl2 expression was seen in 15 out of 19 (78%) of benign, 5 out of 6 (83.3%) of borderline and 4 out of 7 (57%) of malignant tumors with a p value 0.6 (>0.05). Wild type p53 expression was observed in all cases of benign and borderline surface epithelial ovarian tumors. Mutant p53 expression was seen in all malignant tumors. The p value for p53 expression in benign, borderline and malignant surface epithelial tumors was 0.00 (<0.05). High grade serous carcinomas in contrast to other epithelial ovarian tumors showed a strong intense over expression pattern of mutant p53 expression, hence can be useful in detecting cell type in ovarian high grade malignancies. p53 appears to be a marker with better significance in distinguishing benign, borderline and malignant tumors in comparison to Bcl2 protein. p53 expression though positive in all the malignant epithelial ovarian tumors, it was noted that >80% of the malignant cells showed intense nuclear positivity in high grade serous carcinomas, as against <50% cell nuclear positivity in mucinous and clear cell carcinomas. This could be useful in detecting cell type in high grade ovarian malignancies.
How to cite this article:
Shabeera Shamsuddin, Z. Aejaz Ahamed, Krishnaraj Upadhyaya and K. Swathi Kumari. Expression Of BCL2 and P53 in Ovarian Epithelial Tumors.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.11.103.108
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.11.103.108