Androgen receptor expression in the urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma and its relation to known prognostic factors

Abstract

Objective: The current study was carried out to assess the prognostic value of androgen receptor expression in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and correlate it to the disease outcome. Methods: Histologically confirmed cases of bladder urothelial carcinoma were studied. Clinical, pathological, and radiological data were collected. Paraffin embedded tissue sections were submitted for hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as immunohistochemical staining for androgen receptor in tumor cells. Results: Nuclear androgen receptor expression was positive in 75% of the studied histopathological specimens. Additionally, a significant positive association between androgen receptor expression and tumor grade, muscle invasion & tumor size were noticed. Conclusions: There is a significant association between large tumor size, high grade, deep invasion, and expression of Androgen receptor in urothelial bladder carcinoma. Antiandrogen could be an effective chemo preventive or therapeutic approach in treatment of urothelial bladder carcinoma.