Immunohistochemical studies of p53, Ki-67, E-cadherin and beta-catenin on renal pelvic and ureteral cancers

PURPOSE: We reviewed prognosis and bladder recurrence of 31 patients with renal pelvic and ureteral cancer concerning clinicopathological and immunohistochemical factors. METHODS: The patients consisted of 19 males and 12 females. The median age was 69 years, ranging from 43 to 84 years. Median follow-up period was 79 months. Immunohistochemistry for p53, Ki-67, E-cadherin and beta-catenin was performed on sections from tumor tissue. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The overall 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 77.4%. Univariate analysis indicated tumor number, grade, infiltrating pattern, lymphatic involvement to be significant prognostic factors. Moreover, multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazard model revealed tumor number and lymphatic involvement to be independent prognostic factors for cause-specific survival rate. The overall 5-year bladder recurrence free rate was 60.9%. Univariate analysis revealed expression of E-cadherin to be a significant factor for bladder recurrence free rate.