E-cadherin expression in transitional cell carcinomas.

The authors analyzed the expression of E-cadherin, one of the most important cell adhesion molecules, on histological slides of tumors of bladder cancer patients. The aim of the study was to see whether there is any association between E-cadherin expression and tumor grade, stage, age and gender of the patients, number of recurrences, or overall survival. The samples were examined in 51 primary bladder transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of 50 patients, resected by transurethral resection (TUR) between January 1, 1996 and January 1, 1997. Immunoreactions were performed with monoclonal anti-human E-cadherin antibody. Forty of the fifty patients could be clinically followed. The analysis of the results on these forty patients was performed by contingency analysis and significance was assessed by chi2 test. No significant association between E-cadherin expression and tumor grade, stage, age or gender of the patients, the number of recurrences, or overall survival could be seen.