Beta-HCG Expression in Bladder Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Anthony Kodzo-Grey Venyo, David Herring, Harold Greenwood, Douglas John Lindsay Maloney
Primary Institution: North Manchester General Hospital
Hypothesis
The expression of β-HCG in urothelial cancer is more commonly associated with tumours of high grade and high category and that the expression of β-HCG is associated with inferior outcome.
Conclusion
The expression of β-HCG can predict which superficial tumours will recur and which muscle-invasive tumours will have a poor outcome.
Supporting Evidence
- 33 of the 86 tumours (38%) were positive for β-HCG.
- Positive staining was more common in higher grade tumours.
- Only 1 of the 20 patients with β-HCG positive muscle invasive tumours survived.
Takeaway
This study found that bladder cancer tumours that test positive for a substance called β-HCG are more likely to come back after treatment and are often more aggressive.
Methodology
The study analyzed the expression of β-HCG in urothelial carcinomas of 86 patients using immunohistochemistry.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and did not consider nodal involvement in muscle-invasive tumours.
Participant Demographics
86 patients (49 male, 37 female), mean age 69.5 years (range 20 to 95 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.01
Statistical Significance
p < 0.01
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