DNA ploidy and p53 protein expression in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (STCCB) is a heterog eneous group of neoplasias with an unpredictable clinical course. In recent years many techniques have been used in order to predict the behaviour of these tumours at individual patient level. The aim of this study was to inv estigate in imprints from tumour biopsies the DNA ploidy and p53 protein ex pression in a group of 80 STCCB (pTa-pT1) patients in relation to histologi cal grade and recurrence status. The DNA content was studied in Feulgen-sta ined imprints by the image analysis technique using a SAMBA 2005 analyser. In order to investigate p53 protein expression an avidin-extravidin immunoc ytochemical technique was used. According to our measurements a strong corr elation was observed between recurrence status and DNA ploidy status (P < 0 .001). No statistical difference was found in DNA ploidy status and grade o f malignancy (P = 0.68). A statistically significant difference was found i n p53 protein expression between recurrent and nonrecurrent tumours (P < 0. 001). No statistically significant difference was found among tumours of gr ade I, grade II and grade III (P = 0.42). These results could provide usefu l information on the potential behaviour of STCCB.