Six-pattern p53 interpretation in 1293 vulvar squamous cell carcinomas: inter-pathologist variation and pattern distribution according to p16 status.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is classified into human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and HPV-independent types, primarily using p16 immunohistochemistry, with p53 staining playing a complementary role since a subset of HPV-independent VSCC is driven by TP53 mutations. We aimed to assess the robustness of the six-pattern p53 classification by evaluating interobserver agreement and mapping pattern distribution in relation to p16 status.

Methods

We performed p53 immunohistochemistry on 1293 VSCC cases, comprising 832 p16-negative and 461 p16-positive cases. Eight pathologists independently evaluated p53, with each case assessed by two pathologists. Expression was classified as wild-type (scattered or mid-epithelial) or mutated (basal overexpression, parabasal/dif

SUBMITTER: Kaderly Rasmussen EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12605707 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature