p53 protein in benign and malignant sweat gland tumors.

Mutation of the p53 gene and increased levels of p53 protein are among the most frequent alterations in human cancers. To date, very little is known about the mechanisms underlying the development of sweat gland carcinomas. In this study, we analyzed 43 benign and 39 malignant sweat gland tumors for p53 protein level using the antibody PAB1801. Nine (23%) of 39 sweat gland carcinomas were positive for p53 protein. Among these carcinomas, six of 12 cases of extramammary Paget's disease were positive using immunohistochemistry. No other correlation between tumor subtype and p53 reactivity was detected. Among 43 benign sweat gland tumors, only one case displayed staining for p53. We conclude that p53 protein plays a role in a subset of sweat gland tumors, especially in extramammary Paget's disease.