The Relationship of Clusterin Expression and Ki-67 Labeling Index with Clinicopathologic Factors in Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the expression of clusterin and Ki-67 in human transitional cell carcinoma(TCC). In addition, the relationship of clusterin and Ki-67 expression with the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of human TCC was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 149 human TCC tissues were obtained from 149 patients who underwent a radical cystectomy(n=81) or transurethral resection(n=68). The expression of clusterin and Ki-67 was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. The results were evaluated with respect to the clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Positive clusterin expression was observed in 21.1% of the total TCC tissues. The expression of clusterin was not significantly related to age, gender, tumor stage and grade. However, recurrence-free survival rate of the patients with positive clusterin expression was significantly lower than that of patients with negative clusterin expression(p=0.02). The expression level of Ki-67 in the TCC tissues was associated with the tumor stage(p<0.001) and grade(p<0.001), but not with age and gender. Furthermore, the recurrence-free survival rate of patients with strong Ki-67 expression was significantly lower than that of patients with weak Ki-67 expression(p<0.001). The expression of clusterin was not significantly related to the level of Ki-67 expression. However, in the patients showing strong Ki-67 expression, the recurrence-free survival rate of the patients with positive clusterin expression was significantly lower than that of the patients with negative clusterin expression(p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the expression of clusterin and Ki-67 can be used as a useful predictor of the prognosis of patients with human TCC.

The Timing of Surgery in Unilateral Inguinal Cryptorchidism: In the Aspect of Histomorphological Changes / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated whether the adequate age of surgery in patients with unilateral inguinal cryptorchidism is 1-2 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight specimens were taken from ipsilateral undescended testicles in 28 unilateral inguinal cryptorchid boys(age range: 4-132 months, mean: 20.3 months). Patients were divided into 2 groups: an early group I of 9 cases(7-12 months) and a late group II of 19 cases(13-132 months). Control testicular biopsies were performed in 6 hydrocele boys(age range: 8-36 months, mean: 23 months). The histomorphological changes, including spermatogonia per tubule(S/T) value, Sertoli cell index(SCI), tubular degeneration phase V-VII(TDP V-VII), mean tubular diameter(MTD), and changes of peritubular interstitial tissue(thickened tubular basement membrane and peritubular fibrosis) were compared between the cryptorchidism and control groups and the adequate age of surgery in the cryptorchid child was evaluated. RESULTS: Testis volume, SCI, TDP V-VII, MTD, and changes of peritubular interstitial tissue, except S/T value, were significantly different between groups I and II(p<0.05). Between group I and the control group, there was a statistically significant difference in testis volume, MTD, and changes of peritubular interstitial tissue(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings of decreased testis volume, SCI, MTD and increased peritubular fibrosis may suggest that the appropriate timing of surgery in the cryptorchid child is under 1 year.