AIM:To evaluate mutant p53 gene in primary hepatocellularcarcinoma and to investigate the correlation between it andthe recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS:Mutations of p53 gene were examined using anti-human p53 monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemicalstaining in 79 resected hepatocellular carcinomas.Thecorrelations among variables of p53 positivity andinvasiveness,disease free interval and survival were studied.In addition,in those who developed recurrence,thecorrelation among p53 positivity,clinical features and post-recurrence survival were also studied.RESULTS:Of these 79 cases,64 (81%) had p53 mutation.Those patients with mutant p53 positivity had significantlymore tumor recurrence (76.6 % vs 40.0 %,P=-0.0107).However,the COX proportional hazards model showed thatp53 overexpression had only weak correlations withrecurrence free interval and survival time (P=-0.088 and0.081),which was probably related to the short durationof follow-up.The invasiveness variables may be predictorsof HCC recurrence.On univariate analysis,more patientswith mutant p53 positivity had vascular permeation [78.1vs 40.0 %,P=-0.0088,O.R.(odds ratio)=5.3],grade Ⅱ-Ⅳdifferentiation (98.4 vs 80.0 %,P=0.0203,O.R.=15.7),nocomplete capsule (82.8 vs 53.3 %,P=-0.0346,O.R.=4.2)and daughter nodules (60.9 vs.33.3 %,P=0.0527,O.R.=3.1) than patients with negative p53 staining.Onmultivariate analysis,only vascular permeation and gradeof differentiation remained significant (P=-0.042 and 0.012).There was no statistically significant correlation betweenthe status of p53 in the primary lesion and the clinical featuresof recurrent hepatocellular carcinomas examined,including extrahepatic metastasis (P=-0.1103) and thenumber of recurrent tumors (P=1.000) except for diseaseover more than one segment in the extent of recurrenttumors (P=0.0043).The post-recurrence median survival waslower in patients in whom p53 mutation had been detectedin the primary lesion with a weak significance (3.42 monthsvs 11.0 months,P=-0.051). CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that p53 mutation correlates significantly with invasiveness including vascularpermeation,grade of cellular differentiation,incompletecapsule and multinodular lesions.Hepatocellular carcinomaswith p53 mutations had more tumor recurrence and p53mutation may also influence disease recurrence interval andsurvival time.Hepatocellular carcinomas with p53 mutationsrecur more extensively with a shorter survival.Therefore,p53 mutation in the primary lesion is useful as an indicatorof the biological behavior of recurrent hepatocellularcarcinomas. AIM: To evaluate mutant p53 gene in primary hepatocellular carcinoma and to investigate the correlation between it and the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Mutations of p53 gene were examined using anti-human p53 monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemical stain in 79 resected hepatocellular carcinomas. Theselations among variables of p53 positivity and invasiveness, disease free interval and survival were studied. addition, in those who developed recurrence, thecorrelation among p53 positivity, clinical features and post-recurrence survival were also studied.RESULTS: Of these 79 cases, 64 (81%) had The COX proportional hazards model showed that p53 overexpression had only weak correlations with recurrence free interval and survival time (P = - 0.0107) 0.088 and 0.081), which was probably related to the short duration of follow-up. The invasiveness variables may b e predictors of HCC recurrence. Univariate analysis, more patients with mutant p53 positivity had vascular permeation [78.1 vs 40.0%, P = -0.0088, odds ratio = 5.3], grade II- IV differentiation (98.4 vs 80.0%, P = 0.0203 , OR = 15.7), nocomplete capsule (82.8 vs 53.3%, P = -0.0346, OR = 4.2) and daughter nodules (60.9 vs.33.3%, P = 0.0527, OR = 3.1) , only vascular permeability and grade of differentiation remained significant (P = -0.042 and 0.012). Where was no exactly significant associations betweenthe status of p53 in the primary lesion and the clinical features of recurrent hepatocellular carcinomas examined, including extrahepatic metastasis (P = -0.1103) and then of recurrent tumors (P = 1.000) except for disease over more than one segment in the extent of recurrent tumors (P = 0.0043). The post-recurrence median survival was lower in patients in whom p53 mutation had been detected in the primary lesion with a weak significance (3.42 mon thsvs 11.0 months, P = -0.051). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that p53 mutation correlates significantly with invasiveness including vascular permeability, grade of cellular differentiation, incompletecapsule and multinodular lesions. Hepatatocellular carcinomas with p53 mutations had more tumor recurrence and p53 mutation may also influence disease recurrence interval and vulvival time. Hepatocellular carcinomas with p53 mutationsrecur more extensively with a shorter survival. agofore, p53 mutation in the primary lesion is useful as an indicator of the biological behavior of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.