['The p53 gene alteration is identified in approximately half of all human tumors, and is now thought to be a key gene for regulating the cell cycle through the induction of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and inducing apoptosis through some genes such as BAX. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of p53 mutation for postoperative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.', 'The subjects studied were 42 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent esophagectomy with complete curability in our department. The cases were limited to stage II and III. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissues. A p53 gene mutation was detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and subsequent direct sequencing method for exons 5 to 9. The 5-year survival rate was calculated and statistically compared between the p53 mutation(+) and (-) groups by the log rank test.', 'The p53 gene mutation was identified in 14 cases (33.3%). The 5-year survival rate of the p53 mutation(-) group (n = 28) was significantly higher than the (+) group (n = 14; 51.0% versus 35.7%, P <0.05 by the log rank test). Recurrence could be identified in 10 of 14 p53 mutation(+) cases (71.4%), whereas it was found in 12 of 28 (-) cases (42.8%).'] Is the p53 gene mutation of prognostic value in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients in unified stages of curability?