BACKGROUND: To assess the p53 expression in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip. METHODS: Immunohystochemical study for samples fixed in formaline and paraphin in bloc stained with anti-p53 antibodies through Streptavidina-Biotina-Peroxidase. For statistical analysis the Fisher Test was employed for group differences (p<0.10). RESULTS: The p53 expression were positive in 87.50% of well differentiated SCC, 60.0% of moderately differentiated tumors, 91.67% of poorly differentiated; for surgical margins, 94.23% were negative and 5.77% positive, with an association between differentiation degree and p53 expression (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The p53 expression was significant in SCC of the lip and negative for surgical margins, but it is not determinant of changing in surgical paradigm.
Genes, p53; Lip; Lip neoplasms; Carcinoma, squamous cell
