TP53 and rectal cancer: In rectal cancer, studies on the prognostic role of p53 showed disappointing results; p53 overexpression or gene mutation were found to have unfavourable influence on survival (Adell et al, 1999; Liang et al, 1999; Schwadner et al, 2000a,b), but other studies did not confirm the relationship between the p53 status and patients' outcome (Elsaleh et al, 1999; Nehls et al, 1999; Sturm et al, 1999).