Loss of E-cadherin expression in recurrent non-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Background: Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy in the urothelial tract. Invasive cancer has a poor prognosis compared to non-invasive cancer, and identifying the cancer type is useful in determining the most appropriate treatment. In this study, the expression ratios of E-cadherin in non-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were investigated. The goal of the study was to predict possible invasion in the recurrence of these cases.

Material and methods: Seventy-two recurrent non-invasive cases of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were retrospectively analyzed. An immunohistochemical study of E-cadherin was performed of the baseline tissue sections. An evaluation was carried out of the intensity of membranous staining of E-cadherin and the percentage of cells that stained positive.

Results: Invasive cancer was identified in the recurrence material of 14 of the 72 urothelial carcinomas of the bladder that were originally non-invasive based on the baseline samples. The rate of invasion in the recurrence material was significantly higher in cases in which the loss of E-cadherin expression was observed.

Conclusion: If E-cadherin expression is negative or weak, close clinical follow-up of patients is necessary, even if the initial diagnosis is non-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. This is because the rate of invasion in these cases is higher in recurrent cases.