Objective: We studied p53, bcl-2, and nm23 expressions in serous benign, borderline and malignant tumors of the ovary. Our aim was to determine the association between these expressions and some clinical (patient age, tumor dimension, omenthal involvement, the presence of malignant cells in peritoneal fluid) and histopathological (grade, number of mitosis, nuclear pleomorphism, structural pattern) parameters in malignant serous tumors.

Material and Method: A total of 71 tumors including 29 benign, 14 borderline, and 28 malignant ovarian serous tumors were included in the study. p53, bcl-2, and nm23 immunohistochemical staining was performed on the paraffin blocks. The results were scored as (+), (++) and (+++) according to the extent of staining.

Results: There was no staining for p53 in benign or borderline tumors. p53 was positive in 42.9% of malignant tumors. nm23 expression was revealed as 44.8%, 64.3% and 67.9% in benign, borderline and malignant tumors, respectively. Bcl-2 was positive in only 17.2% of benign, 35.7% of borderline and 25% of malignant tumors.

Conclusion: The p53 positivity detected only in serous carcinomas shows its role in carcinogenesis. p53 was expressed at a significantly higher rate in advanced stage carcinomas (p=0.031). nm23 expression in benign, borderline and malignant tumors was not significantly different. nm23 positivity was higher in advanced stage carcinomas (p=0.032). This suggest that nm23 acts like an oncogene in ovarian carcinomas. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of bcl-2 expression.