title: Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of Serum and Tissue Galectin 3 Expression in Patients with Carcinoma of the Bladder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galectins are group of proteins found in the cytoplasm, nucleus, cell surface and extracellular matrix. Galectin 3 (Gal-3) displays pathological expression in a variety of processes such as tumorigenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  70 patients classified into the control group, cystitis group, transitional cell carcinoma group, and squamous cell carcinoma group were enrolled in this study which aimed to detect the serum level and the intensity of tissue expression of Gal-3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both serum level and tissue expression of Gal-3 were statistically higher in bladder cancer patients compared to the other groups. Gal-3 level expression increased from low to high grade urothelial tumors, with a statistically significant increase of its level and expression between muscle invasive and non-muscle invasive Ta urothelial tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum Gal-3 level is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. The prognostic significance of tissue expression is to be confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hoda El
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Gendy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Guiza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Bothina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madkour
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Guiza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdelaty
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Guiza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Fayza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Essawy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khattab
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Guiza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Olfat
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hammam
authors.affiliation: Urology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Guiza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hani H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Nour
keywords: Bladder cancer; Galectin 3; Schistosomiasis; Squamous cell carcinoma; Transitional cell carcinoma