Abstract

It is well known that histologic grade and tumor stage are important prognostic factors, and that the monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) can recognize S-phase cells. The PCNA index of 53 transitional cell carcinomas(TCCs) of the urinary bladder was studied to evaluate its prognostic validity. The PCNA indices of TCCs ranged from 38 to 92, whih were quite different from that of normal transitional epithelium(9.4). The PCNA indices were significantly higher in tumors of the higher histologic grade and/or tumor stage(correlation coefficient 0.64 and 0.43; P=0.00). The PCNA index was particularly valuable in discriminating the superficial TCCs from the deeply invasive TCCs(67.1+/-15.46 and 79.9+/-9.70; P=0.000). Among TCCs of the same tumor stage, the histologic grade affected the PCNA index. However, TCCs of the same histologic grade revealed similar PCNA indices regardless of tumor stage. These results indicate that the PCNA index is an objective and reliable prognostic factor in TCCs, which is superior to the conventional histologic grade.

• Keywords: Transitional cell carcinoma;Urinary bladder;Proliferating cell nuclear antigen;Prognosis