Immunohistochemical characterization of bladder carcinoma associated with schistosomiasis

Fifteen cases of bladder carcinoma associated with schistosomiasis were studied for the expression of blood group antigens A and B, T-antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] in an effort to correlate these data with the histologic grade of the tumour. The immunoperoxidase technique was used. It was found that blood group antigens are maintained better in low grade tumours. On the other hand, T-antigen positivity was correlated with invasive and high grade tumours. As regards the carcinoembryonic antigen, better expression was observed in high grade tumours. This study illustrates the value of combining three predictive tumour markers to more accurately assess the prognosis of patients with bladder cancer associated with schistosomiasis