Small cell carcinoma of the ovary of the hypercalcemic type: p53 protein accumulation and clinicopathologic features.

Twenty women with ovarian small cell carcinoma of the hypercalcemic type were studied. Mean patient age was 24 years, 11 had hypercalcemia, and the 2-year actuarial survival was 18%; there was only one long-term survivor. Twelve of 15 tumors tested (80%) exhibited p53 protein accumulation by immunohistochemistry, supporting the presence of p53 gene mutations in these tumors. p53 gene mutations may have an important role in the evolution of small cell ovarian carcinomas.