Gene amplification detected in carcinoma cells from human urinary bladder washings by the polymerase chain reaction method.
BACKGROUND
Urinary bladder carcinoma often is diagnosed from malignant cells in bladder washings obtained at cystoscopic examination. In some cases, there are difficulties distinguishing between cytologic Grades 1 and 2. Detection of genetic alterations in combination with morphologic analysis may facilitate the diagnosis.


METHODS
The presence of amplified c-erb-B2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) was examined in tumor cells present in bladder washings. The gene copy number was determined with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
The authors detected amplified c-erb-B2 and EGF-R in cancer cells of cytologic Grade 2 and 3 tumors. They did not detect amplification in cytologic Grade 1 tumor cells or in cells from bladders, without known malignant neoplasms.


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of genetic alterations, in combination with morphologic analysis, facilitates the diagnosis of carcinoma.
Lönn
U
U
Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lönn
S
S
Nylén
U
U
Friberg
S
S
Stenkvist
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001483:Base Sequence; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases