BACKGROUND/AIMS - To determine the role of p53 mutations on survival after pancreatoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.
METHODOLOGY - Resected specimens were assessed for expression of wild-type or mutated p53. Survival of p53-negative and- positive patients was investigated, and differences noted at 0.05 level.
RESULTS - Expression of wild-type p53 is associated with a significant improvement in overall survival, especially for patients without nodal metastases.
CONCLUSIONS - Preoperative p53 determination could enable further patient selection for aggressive surgery
