Evaluation of c-ras oncogene product (p21) in superficial bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is the evaluation of the prognostic importance of p21 protein in superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients with an initial diagnosis of monofocal bladder cancer (stage Ta-T1) following TUR were investigated. On the tissue removed by TUR, besides the usual pathological evaluation, an immuno-histochemical investigation was carried out in order to ascertain the presence of c-ras oncogene product (protein p21). The actuarial curves concerning the time free from the first recurrence were computed, comparing different subgroups in regard to protein p21 presence, grade and stage of the tumour. RESULTS: The analysis of the results shows the importance of tumour stage as a predictor of recurrence, as well as that of the presence of c-ras products. This last factor increases the risk of recurrence almost 2-fold, in the same time lag, for c-ras-positive patients (p < 0.001). The prognostic significance of c-ras is independent of stage. CONCLUSION: Our data underline the possibility of acquiring important information on the prognosis of superficial bladder cancer patients, pointing out the significance of c-ras oncogene product.