Evaluation of p53 and Ki67 Expression Profiles in Basal Cell Carcinomas in a Usual and an Unusual Location.

OBJECTIVE: Owing to their importance in cell proliferation in cutaneous malignancies, we aimed to immunohistochemically compare the expression profiles of p53 and Ki67 in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cases in both a usual and an unusual locations in this study.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study we included 12 in an unusual location of BCC cases and 21 BCC cases in a usual location. Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and Ki67 antibodies were studied in 33 paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of basal cell carcinoma. We compared the p53 and Ki67 staining scores with clinicopathologic features.

RESULTS: The tumor size was found to be greater in BCC cases in an unusual location than those in a usual location. The relationship between age and tumor size was also evaluated in both groups and it was found that tumor size increased with age. A comparative study between the two groups showed no difference p53 and Ki67 expression percentages. There was a linear correlation between the Ki67 and p53 marker staining rates (ρ=0.420; p=0.015). In the samples taken from cases in a usual region, there was a linear and moderate relationship between the markers (ρ=0.513; p=0.017). Median tumor diameter results were similar to the marker staining score (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This is the first study comparing the expression profiles of p53 and Ki67 of BCC cases in an unusual and a usual location. No significant difference was found concerning Ki67 and p53 expression levels between the two groups.