[p53 and steroid receptors support double endometrial carcinogenesis].

Aim: This study investigated the p53 positivity correlated with the receptor status, in different grades and stages of endometrial carcinoma.

Methods: The study included 88 endometrioid-type carcinomas and 5 non-endometrioid-type carcinomas. Paraffin sections were used for the ordinary histological diagnosis and for immunohistochemical diagnosis by avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique.

Results: p53 positivity was identified in 10 endometrioid-type carcinomas (11.4%) and 3 non-endometrioid type carcinomas (60%). Most of the p53 positive cases were receptor negative and observed in advanced stages and histological grades. No associated endometrial hyperplasia was p53 positive, while a positive intraepithelial non-endometrioid carcinoma was identified.

Conclusions: p53 positivity is most frequently identified in non-endometrioid type, receptor negative adenocarcinomas, even in a precursor lesion as it is intraepithelial carcinoma, while in endometrioid, receptor positive carcinomas it appear in late stages of development, never being identified in precursor lesions.