Tumor-associated tissue inflammatory reaction and eosinophilia in primary superficial bladder cancer

In a retrospective study the data of 428 patients with primary superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were evaluated. The histologic slides were reviewed for presence of a tumor-associated tissue inflammatory reaction, especially tumor-associated eosinophilia. Tumor-associated cell infiltration was found in 23.1 percent and tumor-associated eosinophilia in 2.1 percent. Tumor-associated cell infiltration was associated with less recurrences (p = 0.01). Tumor progression rate was not significantly influenced by tumor-associated cell infiltration. Tumor-related death rate was lower in the group with tumor-associated cell infiltrate (p = 0.50). Using the Cox regression model carcinoma in situ of the tumor margin, tumor-associated cell infiltrate, and grade of differentiation appeared to be important factors in the prognosis for survival.