The relationship between expression of p53/bcl-2 and clinicopathological criteria in cervix squamous cell carcinomas

Objective: Thirty cases with squamous carcinomas of cervix who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oopherectomy were reviewed histopathologically. Materials and Methods: The tissues were stained immunohistologically with p53 and bcl-2. Ten cases were selected as well differentiated (large cell keratinizing) carcinoma, ten cases moderately differentiated (large cell non keratinizing) carcinoma and ten cases poorly differentiated carcinoma (includes small cell squamous cell carcinoma). Results: We observed 11 cases (36.6%) with bcl-2 and 13 cases (43.3%) with p53 positivity. P53 expression showed the opposite correlation to bcl-2 staining. Conclusion: A decrease in bcl-2 reactivity and an increase in p53 positive staining was noted as the histological differentiation worsened.