Histopathological features and p53 nuclear protein staining as predictors of survival and tumor recurrence in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

Abstract

We determine which histopathological features are predictive of recurrence and cause-specific survival in renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma. Univariant and multivariant analysis was done on material from 67 patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified lamina propria invasion, grade 3 tumors and capillary-lymphatic invasion as predictors of disease-specific survival. Multicentric disease was the sole independent predictor of recurrence. Multicentric disease and lamina propria invasion were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival. Also, p53 over-expression was not statistically associated with any of the studied prognostic factors. Histopathological features remain the cornerstone of prognostic assessment for renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma.