The accumulation of mutant p53 protein in cancer cells was observed by immunohistochemistry analysis. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue. Exons 5, 7 and 8 were amplified and studied by PCR-SSCP and sequencing analysis. Ten cases of asbestos associated cancer tissue were studied, of which five cases had adenocarcinoma, and the other five had mesothelioma, squamous carcinoma, small cell lung cancerl adenosquamous carcinoma and malignant lymphoma respectively. Employing monoclonal antibody PAb1801, five cases were found to be mutant p53 protein mpitive. Seven cases were found to have mutations by PCRSSCP. A total of 7 cases (8 mutations) were found to be positive and 4 cases were found to be opitive by both of these analyses. Of the 8 mutations found by SSCP analysis, 4(50%, 4/8)were clustered in exon 8. A high mutation frequency was noticed in adenocarcinoma (80%,4/5). ffequencing analysis on two specimens revealed two hotspot mutations. In codon 234,TAC for tyrooin was mutated to AAC fOr aspar8gine by a T to A transversion of the first letter. In codon 273, CGT for arginine was mutated to AGT for serine by a C to A transversion of the first letter. ln conclusion, the mutation of p53 gene is common in asbestos associated cancers. However, the mutational spectrum of asbestos associated cancers might be different from that of non-asbestos associated cancers. The accumulation of mutant p53 protein in cancer cells was observed by immunohistochemistry analysis. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue. Exons 5, 7 and 8 were amplified and studied by PCR-SSCP and sequencing analysis. Ten cases of asbestos associated cancer tissue were Studied, of which five cases had adenocarcinoma, and the other five had mesothelioma, squamous carcinoma, small cell lung cancerl adenosquamous carcinoma and malignant lymphoma respectively. Employing monoclonal antibody PAb1801, five cases were found to be mutant p53 protein mpitive. Seven cases were found To have mutations by PCRSSCP. A total of 7 cases (8 mutations) were found to be positive and 4 cases were found to be opitive by both of these analyses. Of the 8 mutations found by SSCP analysis, 4(50%, 4/ 8)were clustered in exon 8. A high mutation frequency was noticed in adenocarcinoma (80%,4/5). ffequencing analysis on two specimens revealed two hotspot mutations. In codon 234,TAC for tyrooin was muta Ted to AAC fOr aspar8gine by a T to A transversion of the first letter. In codon 273, CGT for arginine was mutated to AGT for serine by A C to A transversion of the first letter. ln conclusion, the mutation of p53 gene is common In asbestos associated cancers. However, the mutational spectrum of asbestos associated cancers might be different from that of non-asbestos associated cancers.