SIGNIFICANCE OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I EXPRESSION IN BLADDER TUMORS

Introduction: Insulin-like growth factor-I is a mitogenic peptide which overexpression involved in the aberrant cell proliferation and malign transformation. It was thought that it can show the malign behavior of bladder tumors. Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationship between insulin like growth factor expression and tumor grade, stage and recurrence in patients with bladder tumor. Materials and Methods: 53 patients that performed transurethral tumor resection or radical cystectomy between 2002 and 2007 were included in this study. Insulin like growth factor-I staining was determined by immunohistochemically from the bladder tumor tissue. Then we investigated the relationship between insulin like growth factor expression in bladder tumor tissue and tumor grade, stage, and recurrence. Results: The mean age was 64.4+/-11.9, 32 patients have low grade, 21 have high grade; 35 have superficial, 18 have muscle invasive tumor. Of 35 patients with superficial tumors, 25 patients have regular follow-up and the mean follow-up duration was 21.9+/-8.1 month. There was no significant difference in insulin-like growth factor-I staining degree between low grade and high grade tumors. Insulin-like growth factor-I staining degree was same in both superficial and muscle invasive tumors. We found no relationship between recurrence and insulin-like growth factor-I staining degree. Conclusion: We found no association between tumor grade, stage, and recurrence and insulin-like growth factor-I staining degree in bladder tumors.