THE EXPRESSION OF C-ERB-B2 IN HUMAN UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Objectives

To study the expression of c-erb-B2 in human urothelial cancer using an immunohistological (ABC) method.

Material and Methods

The staining characteristics of 86 tumors studied were analyzed with regards to grade, stage and outcome following treatment.

Results

Twenty-two, 9 and 20 tumors, respectively, were positive for c-erb-B2 out of 45, 15 and 26 G1, G2 and G3 tumors. Twenty-nine out of 55 pTa and pT1 tumors and 22 out of 31 muscle invasive tumors were positive for c-erb-B2. C-erb-B2 negative pTa and pT2 tumors were more commonly associated with no recurrence. Recurrences of higher grade and higher stage were more commonly associated with c-erb-B2 positive pTa and pT1 tumors.

Conclusion

Survival appeared to be more common in the c-erb-B2 negative muscle invasive tumors in comparison with the c-erb-B2 positive tumors.

African Journal of Urology Vol. 7 No. 1 (Jan 2001): pp 13-19