Alina Ajoy Thomas - Department of Pathology, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
Meeta Thomas - Department of Pathology, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
Jessy M.M - Department of Pathology, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India

Introduction: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) ranks as the third most ubiquitous cancer globally and the fourth primary source of cancer-related mortality. Loss of the p۵۳ gene is vital in the conversion of colorectal adenoma into carcinoma. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of p۵۳ expression and investigate its correlation with diverse clinicopathological parameters, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of colorectal cancer in the specified region.Methods: A total of ۴۲ CRC cases from tertiary healthcare center in South Kerala, India, were sampled between December ۲۰۱۸ and January ۲۰۲۱. Comprehensive clinical data and clinicopathological parameters were collected, followed by histomorphological and immunohistochemical evaluations. The results were then correlated with clinicopathological variables.Results: Patients aged ۴۵ to ۸۲ years (mean ۶۳.۵) exhibited a predilection for the left colon (۵۷%) and rectum (۳۳%), with symptoms ranging from abdominal pain to weight loss. Histologically, ۹۵.۲% were adenocarcinomas, mostly moderately differentiated (۵۷.۱%). Tumor extension (T۳: ۵۷%) and lymph node involvement (N۱: ۲۹%) were prevalent, with Stage II tumors (۳۸.۱%) most frequent. P۵۳ immunoreactivity was observed in ۸۳.۳% of cases, correlating with moderately differentiated grades, higher tumor extensions (T۳/T۴), N۱/N۲ lymph node statuses, and Stage II/III tumors. No significant associations were found with age, sex, lesion site, or tumor type. P۵۳ nuclear positivity, identified through IHC analysis, provides crucial insights into cancer biology, prognosis, and potential therapeutic implications. The finding highlights significant associations between p۵۳ expression and key clinicopathological parameters. P۵۳ positivity is notably higher in moderately differentiated tumors (Grade) and T۳/T۴ tumor extensions compared to well and poorly differentiated grades and T۱/T۲ extensions, respectively. Significant links were also observed with lymph node status (N۱/N۲ > N۰) and tumor stage (S۲/S۳ > S۱), indicating a strong correlation between p۵۳ expression and advanced disease characteristics. However, no significant associations were found with age, sex, lesion site, or tumor type. The novelty of our study lies in the focused exploration of p۵۳ expression in colorectal carcinomas. By specifically investigating the correlation between p۵۳ expression and various clinicopathological parameters, we contribute a unique perspective to the understanding of the molecular characteristics of colorectal cancer. This targeted approach enhances the visibility of novel insights that our study brings to the field of p۵۳ expression in the context of colorectal carcinomas.Conclusion: Our investigation underscores that p۵۳ overexpression is particularly prominent in advanced-stage colorectal cancer cases and those having LNM, further supporting its role as an adverse prognostic marker in this context.Introduction: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) ranks as the third most ubiquitous cancer globally and the fourth primary source of cancer-related mortality. Loss of the p۵۳ gene is vital in the conversion of colorectal adenoma into carcinoma. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of p۵۳ expression and investigate its correlation with diverse clinicopathological parameters, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of colorectal cancer in the specified region. Methods: A total of ۴۲ CRC cases from tertiary healthcare center in South Kerala, India, were sampled between December ۲۰۱۸ and January ۲۰۲۱. Comprehensive clinical data and clinicopathological parameters were collected, followed by histomorphological and immunohistochemical evaluations. The results were then correlated with clinicopathological variables. Results: Patients aged ۴۵ to ۸۲ years (mean ۶۳.۵) exhibited a predilection for the left colon (۵۷%) and rectum (۳۳%), with symptoms ranging from abdominal pain to weight loss. Histologically, ۹۵.۲% were adenocarcinomas, mostly moderately differentiated (۵۷.۱%). Tumor extension (T۳: ۵۷%) and lymph node involvement (N۱: ۲۹%) were prevalent, with Stage II tumors (۳۸.۱%) most frequent. P۵۳ immunoreactivity was observed in ۸۳.۳% of cases, correlating with moderately differentiated grades, higher tumor extensions (T۳/T۴), N۱/N۲ lymph node statuses, and Stage II/III tumors. No significant associations were found with age, sex, lesion site, or tumor type. P۵۳ nuclear positivity, identified through IHC analysis, provides crucial insights into cancer biology, prognosis, and potential therapeutic implications. The finding highlights significant associations between p۵۳ expression and key clinicopathological parameters. P۵۳ positivity is notably higher in moderately differentiated tumors (Grade) and T۳/T۴ tumor extensions compared to well and poorly differentiated grades and T۱/T۲ extensions, respectively. Significant links were also observed with lymph node status (N۱/N۲ > N۰) and tumor stage (S۲/S۳ > S۱), indicating a strong correlation between p۵۳ expression and advanced disease characteristics. However, no significant associations were found with age, sex, lesion site, or tumor type. The novelty of our study lies in the focused exploration of p۵۳ expression in colorectal carcinomas. By specifically investigating the correlation between p۵۳ expression and various clinicopathological parameters, we contribute a unique perspective to the understanding of the molecular characteristics of colorectal cancer. This targeted approach enhances the visibility of novel insights that our study brings to the field of p۵۳ expression in the context of colorectal carcinomas. Conclusion: Our investigation underscores that p۵۳ overexpression is particularly prominent in advanced-stage colorectal cancer cases and those having LNM, further supporting its role as an adverse prognostic marker in this context.

Colorectal carcinoma, p۵۳, Lymph node, Immunohistochemistry, Prognosis