Numerical chromosomal aberrations in muscle invasive squamous cell and transitional cell cancer of the urinary bladder: An alternative to classic prognostic indicators?

Objectives. To evaluate the prognostic value of chromosomal aberrations in muscle invasive bladder cancer, because they are of diagnostic and prognost ic significance in superficial bladder cancer. Methods. One hundred ninety patients, who underwent radical cystectomy beca use of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the urinary bladder in 94 cases and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in 96 cases, were studied retrospectivel y. Numerical aberrations of chromosomes 7, 9, and 17, p53 positivity, histo logic stage and grade, histologic tumor type, lymph node status, and the pr esence of bilharzial eggs were investigated as possible prognostic factors. Results. Univariate analysis demonstrated the prognostic significance of al l parameters analyzed, excluding chromosome 9, Multivariate analysis reveal ed only T category (P = 0.01095266), lymph node involvement (P = 0.00054877 ), and p53 positivity (P = 0.0316974) to be independent prognostic factors in muscle invasive SCC and TCC. Conclusions. Although chromosomal aberrations are associated with progressi on-free survival, they are not independent prognostic factors and give the clinician no additional information on patients with muscle invasive bladde r cancer. UROLOGY 53: 1005-1010, 1999, (C) 1999, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.