p53 immunoreactivity in biopsy specimens of T1G3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder - a helpful parameter in guiding the decision for or against cystectomy?

The aim of this study was to determine whether p53 is helpful in making the decision to undergo cystectomy in T1, G3 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, by prospectively comparing the p53 status of bladder biops ies with the histology and p53 status of the corresponding cystectomy speci mens. From January 1996 to August 1997, 38 consecutive patients with T1G3 T CC at 6 different centres were enrolled into the study. Bladder biopsies an d cystectomy specimens were examined with three different antibodies agains t p53. The p53 status of each bladder biopsy was compared with p53 status, tumour stage and grade of the cystectomy specimen. An independent evaluatio n of the histology and immunohistochemistry was carried out by two patholog ists. 15 of 38 patients (39%) were found to have a higher tumour stage in t he cystectomy specimen compared with the staging by transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TUR-B). 3 patients did not show residual tumour in the cystectomy specimen. No differences in p53 positivity were noted betwee n the different antibodies. 14 of 31 evaluable tumours (45%) were p53 posit ive at the time of the TUR-B. p53 staining of the TUR-B specimen did not co rrectly predict the residual tumour in the cystectomy specimen. We, therefo re, concluded that compared with standard histopathology, the p53 status of the TUR-B specimen does not provide additional relevant information with r egard to local tumour staging and, thus, is not helpful in making the decis ion for or against a cystectomy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.