Abnormalities of the p53 tumour suppressor gene occur in many types of cancer including approximately 60% of colorectal carcinomas. This study investigates in 47 colorectal carcinomas the relationship between stabilised p53 protein detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC), and p53 mutation. 27 cases stained positively with the antibody PAb1801. Sequencing of exons 5-8 revealed 19 mutations in 18 of these cases (one tumour contained two different mutations). A rapid, non-radioactive method was developed to screen for mutations in this region of the gene involving Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and a MspI restriction digestion. This screen detected 17/19 (89%) of the sequenced mutations, and a further four mutations in 20 PAb1801 negative cases that were confirmed by sequencing. Reproducibility of ICC in detecting stabilised protein was assessed by restaining the 47 cases with the antibody DO7 after pre-treatment to optimise detection. Fewer cases were negative with DO7 although overall concordance with PAb1801 was good. A substantial proportion of carcinomas with stabilised p53 as detected by ICC do not contain mutations in exons 5-8, whilst some mutations (the majority in exon 6) are not associated with stabilisation.