[The proliferating nuclear fraction as a prognostic factor in superficial bladder carcinomas]

Low grade, low stage superficial bladder tumors have, in general, a good prognosis; however, some of these tumors progress and behave more aggressively, displaying a high incidence of recurrence and rapid transformation into a higher grade of malignancy with deep invasion of the bladder wall. Numerous studies have been conducted on markers which help to predict this transformation.

The expression of the anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was examined in bladder specimens from 72 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma utilizing the PC10 monoclonal antibody. We have compared expression of PCNA with other markers. The cases were divided into three groups: group A comprised patients with good clinical behaviour; group B comprised patients who developed recurrences of the same histological grade and group C comprised patients with superficial TCC who developed muscle wall invasion within 2 years.

Our results demonstrate that the monoclonal antibody PC10 is an excellent marker for the aggressive, low stage and low grade superficial bladder tumours and can distinguish these from those which have a good clinical behaviour.