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 malignan t cells in bladder washings obtained at cystoscopic examination. In so me cases, there are difficulties distinguishing between cytologic Grad es 1 and 2. Detection of genetic alterations in combination with morph ologic analysis may facilitate the diagnosis. Methods. The presence of amplified c-erb-B2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) was e xamined in tumor cells present in bladder washings. The gene copy numb er was determined with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. T he authors detected amplified c-erb-B2 and EGF-R in cancer cells of cy tologic Grade 2 and 3 tumors. They did not detect amplification in cyt ologic Grade 1 tumor cells or in cells from bladders, without known ma lignant neoplasms. Conclusions. Examination of genetic alterations, in combination with morphologic analysis, facilitates the diagnosis of c arcinoma.