The Importance of Marker Chromosomes in Superficial Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: 50 Patients Followed up to 17 Years

Abstract

Several tenets based on cytogenetic analysis have been developed for noninvasive and submucosal invasive carcinoma of the bladder. In noninvasive carcinoma absence of marker chromosomes (abnormal morphological forms) forecasts a 90 per cent post-resection cure. In submucosal invasive carcinoma marker chromosomes are valuable prognostic aids. Original marker chromosomes are neither replaced nor supplemented by a different marker in recurrences. To test these tenets the cytogenetics of 50 selected carcinomas of the bladder (37 noninvasive and 13 submucosal invasive) from patients followed for up to 17 years from 1968 through 1985 were tabulated. In noninvasive carcinoma absence of markers, prognostic of long-term remission, does not rule out ultimate recurrence. In submucosal invasive carcinoma the markers, commonly present, only confirm the prognosis inherent in histopathology. In recurrences the original marker chromosomes are commonly repeated but they may be added to or replaced.

Prognostic factors in pTa‐pT1 superficial bladder tumours treated with intravesical instillations

“…More sophisticated techniques such as flow cytometry and tumour-antigen expression have been studied recently but are not yet part of daily clinical practice, in spite of their value, for lack of necessary equipment [15][16][17][18]. More sophisticated techniques such as flow cytometry and tumour-antigen expression have been studied recently but are not yet part of daily clinical practice, in spite of their value, for lack of necessary equipment [15][16][17][18].…”

Genetic aspects of bladder cancer progression

“…The 25 T 1 tumors included in this study were all marker-positive and 80°7o of them recurred; 12 cancer deaths occurred within a follow-up period of 3 months to 6 years. Despite the appearance that the absence of marker chromosomes was predictive of long-term remission for patients with grade 1 or 2 Ta tumors, a recent analysis of 50 selected consecu.tive tumors of similar stage and grade that were followed for up to 17 years failed to substantiate this, since 50% of the patients with Ta-marker-negative tumors recurred within an average follow-up period of 9 years [18]. Subsequent death due to cancer, however, was limited to patients with marker-positive tumors (Ta, 38%; T1, 62%).…”

Genetic and epigenetic aspects of bladder cancer

“…Chromosomal abnormalities, including increased or decreased number of chromosomes (hyperdiploidy and aneuploidy), marker chromosomes, and the chromosomes of abnormal size or configuration, have also been shown to correlate with an increased risk of tumor recurrence and cancer progression [Sandberg et al, 1986;Falor and Ward-Skinner, 1988]. Molecular genetic studies on bladder cancer have demonstrated deletion of several chromosomal arms, including 3p, 6q, 9q, 11p, 17p, and 18q [Sandberg and Berger, 1994].…”