title: Tumor markers in stage P1 bladder cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The infiltration of muscularis mucosa in superficial bladder cancer has been reported to be predictive of an unfavourable course of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied immunohistochemically Ki-67, PCNA and p53 tumour markers in 68 P1a and Pib bladder tumours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant difference (p = 0.01) was found in the distribution of grades between stages P1a and P1b, with more grade 3 and less grade 2 tumours in the latter category. Univariate analysis revealed a strong association of Ki-67 (p = 0.001) and PCNA (p = 0.032) only with stage. P53 protein expression did not have any significant association with either stage or grade. In 60 patients entered into the multivariate analysis a clearly predominant, significant effect of stage on Ki-67 (p = 0.000) was shown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased proliferative activity when compared to P1a is present in P1b bladder tumours, as detected by the increased expression of Ki-67 proliferating antigen. The immunohistochemical study of Ki-67 antigen may help in predicting stage P1 tumours' behaviour, even in cases where pathological distinction of P1a and P1b substages is difficult.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hatzikosta General Hospital, Makriyianni Ave., Ioannina 45001, Greece. nstavrop@otenet.gr
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Stavropoulos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ioachim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charchanti
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kitsiou
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mihailidis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hastazeris
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Agnantis
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53