title: Gene amplification detected in carcinoma cells from human urinary bladder washings by the polymerase chain reaction method.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lönn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lönn
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nylén
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friberg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stenkvist
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases