PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF KI-67 FOR RECURRENCE AND PROGRESSION OF SUPERFICIAL BLADDER-CANCER

Purpose: We retrospectively reviewed 104 cases of superficial bladder cancer to ascertain whether the Ki-67 labeling index predicts recurren ce and progression. Materials and Methods: Archival specimens from sup erficial bladder cancer cases were immunostained with Ki-67. Results: The recurrence rate was significantly higher in cases with a Ki-67 lab eling index of 5.35 or greater than in those with a value less than 5. 35 (p < 0.001), The recurrence rate at 2 years was 70% in cases with a Ki-67 labeling index of 5.35 or greater and 22% in those with an inde x less than 5.35 (p < 0.001). Using multivariate analysis the index pr edicted recurrence of bladder cancer (p < 0.005). Median Ki-67 labelin g index in cases with progression was significantly higher than in tho se without progression (p < 0.01), Conclusions: The Ki-67 labeling ind ex is an independent predictive factor for recurrence of superficial b ladder cancer.