[Molecular biology of bladder cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the factors that influence tumor progression and response to therapy.


METHODS
The new prognostic factors involved in the progression of bladder tumors that have been described in the literature, such as tumor antigen expression, molecular growth factors, cell adhesion molecules, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis, are reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiopathogenesis of bladder cancer remains unknown and treatment is based on the clinical stage of the disease. The new tumor markers will permit a more individualized prognosis and treatment can be instituted according to the biological characteristics of the tumor.
Rosell Costa
D
D
Departamento de Urología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
Zudaire
J J
JJ
Robles
J E
JE
Berián Polo
J M
JM
D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*