Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in bladder transitional cell carcinoma and its clinical significance

[Objective] To investigate the expression of Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and its clinical value in Bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC). [Methods] Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of COX-2 in 43 BTCC, 18 normal benign bladder mucosa. The relation of COX-2 expression with transitional cell carcinoma clinical stage and pathologic grade were analyzed. [Results] COX-2 protein was mainly localized at cytoplasm of malignant cell (positive case was 27) but it was not expressed in normal benign bladder mucosa (n =18). The expression of COX-2 was associated with tumor pathologic grade and clinical stage in 43 of BTCC. The level of COX-2 expression was higher in grade Ⅲ tumor than in gradeⅠ,and was higher in invasive tumor (T2-T4) than superficial tumor (T1) (P 0.05). [Conclusions] The expression of COX-2 is enhanced in Bladder transitional cell carcinoma, and is assoiciated with the malignant degree of the tumor. COX-2 may be a reliable prognostic marker in bladder transitional cell carcinoma.