EN
p53 gene instability frequently causes accumulation of mutant protein in neoplastic cells. The goal of this study was to evaluate of p53 protein accumulation in tumour cells in relation to colorectal cancer outcome. p53 protein accumulation was tested immunohistochemically using DO-7 and Pab-1620 antibodies. In the group of 80 selected patients with sporadic colorectal cancer, p53 protein accumulation in tumour cells was found significantly more often (52.6% of cases) in cancers localised in the colon, nonmucinous and poorly differentiated. In 5-year follow-up, a shorter survival time was observed in the group of patients with p53 protein accumulation in cancer cells (P<0.05). The differences in p53 protein accumulation found in cancer cells in relation to tumour localisation and their histological type indicate the possibility of p53-independent carcinogenesis in mucinous and right-sided cancers. We indicate the importance of performing the immunohistochemical tests for prediction of the outcome of sporadic colorectal cancers.