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.