Characteristics of invasive bladder cancers: histological and molecular markers

Changes in gene expression permit the emergence of clones of cancer cells with biological properties that enable invasion and metastasis. We present in this article an overview of the variety of genetic and antigenic markers that have been reported for invasive bladder cancer. Although the prognostic and diagnostic usefulness of many of these markers in invasive bladder cancer remains to be fully evaluated, this review will serve as a resource for the clinician on the current state of the field. Alterations in the biology and genetics of cells no doubt contribute to the processes of invasion and metastasis and are likely to provide important, useful information for future identification and management of the patient with invasive bladder cancer.