Chromosomal markers as prognostic indicators in transitional-cell carcinomas of the bladder

Clinical-cytogenetic correlations were assessed in 79 patients with transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder to whom cytogenetic analysis of the primary tumor had been successful. High-grade (G2+G3) and high-stage (T2-T4) tumors had in general a higher ploidy level and contained more marker chromosomes, including multiple markers, compared to low-grade (G0+G1) and low stage (Ta+T1) tumors. The early recurrence rate (within 7 months) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients whose tumors contained marker chromosomes compared to cases without markers. Also, a significantly higher proportion of patients with marker chromosomes died due to their disease during the study period (follow-up time 30 months) compared to those without markers (84% versus 16%, p<0.005). The results confirm and extend previous studies showing that cytogenetic findings may be an important prognostic indicator in bladder cancer patients.