THE ROLE OF LYMPHADENECTOMY IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS.

Prostate cancer is one of the most important men's health issues in developed countries. For patients with prostate cancer a preoperative staging of the disease must be made. Involvement of lymph nodes could be assessed using imaging methods (CT or/and MRI), however, newer methods also exist (PET/CT, PSMA PET/CT). For some patients during radical prostatectomy a pelvic lymphadenectomy is recommended. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is indicated in intermediate- and high-risk group patients and with increased probability of lymph node invasion. The most used prediction tools for preoperative assessment of lymph nodes are Briganti and MSKCC nomograms and Partin tables. Pelvic lymphadenectomy can include different lymph nodes group, but extended lymphadenectomy is the recommended procedure. In 1-20% of patients, the lymph node invasion is present. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is primarily a diagnostic and staging method, and in minority of patients with positive lymph nodes it can be a curative method, too. In other patients with positive lymph nodes adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy) can be beneficial.

Severe bleeding complications and multiple kidney transplants in a patient with tuberous sclerosis complex caused by a novel TSC2 missense variant.

We presented an extremely severe case of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in a female patient with recurring, life-threatening bleeding complications related to renal angiomyolipomas. Massive intratumoral hemorrhage required surgical removal of both angiomyolipomatous kidneys and kidney transplantation. During the follow-up period, the patient developed severe metrorrhagia that eventually led to hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. Bleeding from the operative sites caused the loss of the first kidney transplant received from the mother, and immediate hemorrhagic shock led to the loss of the second, cadaveric kidney allograft. The third kidney transplant had a successful outcome. Pathological analysis of all tissue specimens showed TSC-associated lesions and deformed blood vessels in the surgically removed organs. Molecular genetic analysis of TSC1 and TSC2 in the DNA of peripheral leukocytes identified a novel TSC2 c.3599G>C (p.R1200P) variant. Functional assessment confirmed the likely pathogenicity of the TSC2 c.3599G>C (p.R1200P) variant. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the c.3599G>C (p.R1200P) variant in exon 29 of the TSC2 gene related to a severe clinical course and multiple kidney transplants in a patient with TSC.

Fenestrations of the human posterior cerebral artery.

BACKGROUND: The posterior cerebral artery (PCA), as a paired terminal branch of the basilar artery, runs through four segments (P1 to P4) to the inferior and medial surfaces of the occipital and a part of the temporal lobes. There are many PCA variants in its course. The literature data indicated that a fenestration of the PCA was very rare and that its clinical significance is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to present the frequency, location, and some morphological features of PCA fenestration in the prenatal and postnatal period. METHOD: Using brain bases of 468 (200 fetal and 268 adult) cadavers, we applied macroscopic and microscopic investigation. RESULTS: We found four (0.85 %) cases of PCA fenestrations-two at the left and right P1 segment of fetuses, respectively, then one adult at the left P2 segment, as well as one adult at one right PCA of the two existing arteries. There were associated multiple vascular abnormalities in one adult case. We did not find any case of PCA aneurysm originating from fenestration, as well as from PCA without fenestration. CONCLUSION: The frequency, segment, and side location, as well as the size and shape of PCA fenestrations in specimens of our population did not significantly differ from the same in other populations. PCA fenestrations in our adult specimens were not the bases of aneurysms.

Morphology of the cerebral arterial circle in the prenatal and postnatal period of Serbian population.

BACKGROUND: In the literature, there are descriptions of morphological types of the cerebral arterial circle (CAC) of different human populations around the world, but not the Serbian population. This additionally inspired the authors to present the results of previous and current researches of CAC's configuration in the prenatal, as well as in the postnatal period. METHOD: The study was performed on CACs of 190 human fetuses and 143 adult cadavers. The caliber and configuration of fetal vessels were examined under the operating microscope, while the same of adults were studied using the ImageJ. Statistical analysis of CACs vessels' calibers was performed. Classification into one of CAC morphological types was based on the presence of hypoplasia of corresponding vessel(s). RESULTS: There was not only significant difference of the three communicating arteries calibers before and beyond the 16th week of gestation. Calibers of the right pre-communicating part of the posterior cerebral artery and right cerebral part of the internal carotid artery were significantly higher in male than in female adults. There were 13 morphological types of CACs from the prenatal to the postnatal period. Most frequent CAC types were the type I (normal CAC) prenatally and type IV (unilateral hypoplasia of the posterior communicating artery) in the postnatal period. There were not relationships between the cerebral cause of death and a presence of aneurysm. CONCLUSION: Results of this study will be the basis for future investigation of CACs according to the same or different ages and causes of disease and/or death.

[Clinical guidelines for diagnosing, treatment and monitoring patients with bladder cancer--Croatian Oncology Society and Croatian Urology Society, Croatian Medical Association]. / Klinicke upute za dijagnostiku, lijecenje i pracenje bolesnika oboljelih od raka mokracnog mjehura Hrvatskoga Onkolokog Drustva i Hrvatskoga Uroloskog Drustva Hrvatskoga Lijecnickog Zbora.

Urothelial cancer is the most common bladder cancer. Hematuria is the most common presenting symptom in patients with bladder cancer. The most common diagnostics of bladder cancer is performed by transurethral resection of bladder after which pathohistological diagnosis is set. It is necessary to determine whether the cancer penetrated in muscle layer (muscle-invasive cancer) or not (muscle-noninvasive cancer). Decision on therapeutic modality depends on the clinical stage of disease and on prognostic and risk factors. For muscle non-invasive bladder cancer transurethral resection is preferred with or without intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). For invasive cancer the method of choice is radical cystectomy. Radiotherapy is used in radical and palliative purposes. Metastatic disease is most frequently treated by chemotherapy metotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicine/cisplatin (MVAC) or gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC). The purpose of this article is to present clinical recommendations to set standards of procedures and criteria in diagnostics, treatment and follow up of patients with bladder cancer in the Republic of Croatia.

[Clinical guidelines for diagnosing, treatment and monitoring patients with prostate cancer--Croatian Oncology Society and Croatian Urology Society, Croatian Medical Association]. / Klinicke upute za dijagnostiku, lijecenje i pracenje bolesnika oboljelih od raka prostate Hrvatskoga Onkoloskog Drustva i Hrvatskoga Uroloskog Drustva Hrvatskoga Lijecnickog Zbora.

Prostate adenocarcinoma is the second most common solid neoplasm in male population in Croatia. It rarely causes symptoms unless it is advanced. The finding of PSA rise is the most common reason for diagnostic workout. Treatment plan is based on TNM classification, Gleason score and PSA. Clinically localized disease is successfully treated by radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy with or without hormonal therapy. Locally advanced disease is treated with radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. Metastatic disease can be controlled for many years by androgen deprivation. For castration resistant disease appropriate treatment is chemotherapy or secondary hormonal therapy. The following paper presents the clinical guidelines in order to standardize procedures and criteria for the diagnosis, management, management, treatment and monitoring of patients with prostate cancer in the Republic of Croatia.

Relationship between socio-descriptive characteristics, burnout syndrome, and quality of life of employees.

Introduction: Burnout syndrome develops as a consequence of chronic stress among employees. The study objective was to examine what socio-descriptive characteristics of employees might be associated with the appearance of the occupational burnout and to evaluate the relationship between job burnout and the quality of life among security employees of the professional private security sector in Central Serbia. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis and ANOVA post choc test was applied. Results: A total of 353 respondents (330 male and 23 female) participated in the study. Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of emotional exhaustion while male sex, higher education, and managerial position were associated with higher personal achievement and lower risk of total burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of employees. A significant negative correlation was found between total burnout and the Physical Health Composite Score (PHC) score with a correlation coefficient (rs) of -0.265 (95%CI from -0.361 to -0.163); between total burnout and the and Mental Health Composite Score (MHC) score with a rs of -0.391 (95%CI from -0.480 to -0.301); and between total burnout and TQL score with a rs of -0.351 (95%CI from -0.445 to -0.258). Conclusion: Female sex and older age were associated with a higher risk of total burnout and the development of EE while a managerial position and higher education were protective factors in relation to the development of burnout. Male sex, marital union, two or more children, and direct contact with clients were significantly associated with a lower quality of life of the employees. Shift work significantly reduced the total quality of life, while managerial positions increased the quality of life.

EGFR protein overexpression correlates with chromosome 7 polysomy and poor prognostic parameters in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in the pathogenesis and progression of various malignant tumors has long been known, but there is still disagreement concerning prognostic significance of EGFR expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). The present study was designed to analyze more objectively the protein EGFR expression in CCRCC and to compare its value with EGFR gene copy number changes and clinicopathologic characteristics including patient survival. METHODS: The protein EGFR expression was analyzed immunohistochemically on 94 CCRCC, and gene copy number alterations of EGFR by FISH analysis on 41 CCRCC selected according to distinct membrane EGFR staining. RESULTS: Membrane EGFR expression in tumor cells was heterogeneous with respect to the proportion of positive cells and staining intensity. FISH analysis did not reveal EGFR gene amplification, while polysomy of chromosome 7 found in 41% was associated with higher EGFR membrane expression. Moreover, EGFR overexpression was associated with a higher nuclear grade, larger tumor size and shorter patient's survival, while there was no connection with pathological stage. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the protein expression of EGFR had an impact on prognosis in patients with CCRCC, while an increased copy number of chromosome 7 could be the possible reason for EGFR protein overexpression in the absence of gene amplification.

The association between the recurrence of solitary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes.

AIM: To evaluate whether tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in biopsy specimens are associated with the clinical outcome of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrieved tumor specimens from 115 patients with solitary papillary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated between 1996 and 2006 and constructed tissue microarrays. Patients were divided in two groups: those with recurrent disease (N=69) and those without recurrent disease (N=46) during the follow up of minimum 5 years. All patients were treated with initial transurethral resection and none received adjuvant therapy. Immunhistochemical staining was performed with anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, and Granzyme B (GrB). The CD4+:CD8+ and GrB+:CD8 ratios were determined. RESULTS: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were predominantly observed within cancer stroma, and only rare individual cells were observed intraepithelially. The group without recurrent disease had lower levels of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes than the group with recurrent disease (P=0.0001, P=0.0002, respectively). The CD4+:GrB+ and GrB+:CD8+ ratios were significantly higher in patients without recurrent disease (P=0.0002, P=0.039, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a possible connection between TIL number and bladder cancer recurrence. TIL subset ratio showed different patterns in recurrent and non-recurrent tumors, which is why it could become a useful a prognostic clinical index if our findings are confirmed in randomized trials.

Primary testicular necrotizing vasculitis clinically presented as neoplasm of the testicle: a case report.

We present a case of necrotizing vasculitis with the testicle as the isolated affected organ. A 25-year-old man, pretreated for epididymo-orchitis, presented with a presumed testicular neoplasm. Radical orchiectomy was performed and diagnosis of necrotizing vasculitis was established. In the absence of any other sign of systemic disease, the diagnosis of isolated necrotizing vasculitis of the testis was confirmed. Two years after the operation, the patient showed no symptoms of systemic disease.

mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic proteins and their receptors in human renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been studied in several cancers, but only limited information is available about renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). We determined the expression of mRNA of several BMP ligands and BMP receptors (BMPRs) in healthy kidney tissue and RCCs, and data were compared to clinicopathological parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-four samples of RCCs and healthy renal tissues were prospectively examined. The expression of BMP2, BMP4, BMP6, BMP7, BMPRIA, BMPRIB and BMPRII mRNA was determined using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expression levels of different BMP ligands and BMPRs were considerably higher in RCCs than in normal kidney tissue. BMP ligands showed elevated expression in clear-cell RCCs, whereas all three BMPRs showed higher expression levels in non-clear-cell RCCs. In clear-cell RCCs, the expression levels of BMP2 progressively increased and expression levels of BMP6, BMP7 and BMPRIB were lost with higher tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS: All BMPs and their receptors have stronger expression levels in RCC. The expression level of BMP2 is strongly elevated in kidney cancer.

Prognostic values of morphological and clinical parameters in pT2-pT3 prostate cancer in elderly people.

Prostate cancer is a disease of elderly men, the incidence of which increases in an age dependent manner. This study presents the correlation of clinical and morphological parameters in locally confined (pT2) and locally advanced (pT3) prostate cancer. We analyzed a group of elderly men treated with radical prostatectomy in the period 1999-2008 in the University Hospital Rijeka. We found no statistical association between pT stage and age categories, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, digitorectal examination and biopsy Gleason score. There was a significant correlation of higher Gleason score in prostate specimens after radical prostatectomy and a higher frequency of a positive surgical margin in tumors with pT3 than in pT2 stage (p = 0.003; p = 0.011 respectively). Recurrence-free survival was shorter in patients with tumors with positive surgical margins as well as in patients with pT3 stage (p = 0.030; p = 0.001 respectively). We conclude that higher tumor grade and positive surgical margins are indicators of a worse prognosis in our patients.

Quality of Life of Myasthenia Gravis Patients in Regard to Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of the Disease.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) affects overall quality of life (QoL). The aim of the research was to evaluate QoL in patients suffering from MG in regard to epidemiological and clinical factors of the disease. METHODS: The study included 70 patients. The severity of clinical manifestation was estimated using quantitative MG score and MG composite score. Patients were classified by using Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Classification. The Questionnaire of Life Quality Specific for Myasthenia Gravis-15 items (MGQOL15) is developed for QoL assessment in patients suffering from MG. In addition to the MGQOL15 revised version (MGQOL15r), a 36-item health survey of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF36) questionnaire, the Hamilton scales for the assessment of anxiety (HAM-A), and depression (HAM-D) were also used. RESULTS: MGQOL15r scores are negatively correlated with SF36 scores and positively correlated with scores on HAM-A and HAM-D scales (P<0.001). Patients with longer disease duration and severe clinical manifestation often manifest anxiety, depression, and have poorer QoL (P<0.05). In relation to the presence of the anti-nAchR antibody, statistically significant differences were found in relation to the summed scores on scales for assessing QoL, as well as on a HAM-A scale (P<0.05). Physical workers and unemployed patients had worse scores in relation to retired and administrators/intellectual workers on all scales (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: MGQOL15r is a life quality assessment questionnaire that could be used in routine practice in patients with MG. It is much simpler for use in these patients than SF36 and provides relevant data.

Breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma: analysis of hormone, HER-2 receptors and Ki-67 proliferation marker.

The aim of this study was to analyse breast carcinomas with discordant receptor status, probably hormonal dependent (estrogen receptor (ER) positive, progesterone receptor (PR) negative or ER-PR + subgroup profile) infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas not otherwise specified (IDC NOS). Specimens from 90 IDC NOS were grouped into three categories according to hormonal status: dependent (D) (ER +PR +), probably dependent (PD) (ER +PR- or ER-PR +) and non-dependent (ND) (ER-PR-); they were evaluated considering some established prognostic parameters in breast carcinomas. Statistically significant difference was found between tumor receptor status distribution and menopausal status (p = 0.0235), age of the patients (p = 0.000467), histological grade (p = 0.000003), vascular invasion (p = 0.006), HER-2 status (p = 0.0039) and Ki-67 proliferation rate (p = 0.000311). D tumors were found exclusively in post-menopausal patients (average age 68.9 years), most of which had intermediate (II) grade, without vascular invasion, with HER-2 status score predominantly 0 or 1 + and lower Ki-67 proliferation rate. PD tumors were found predominantly in younger post-menopausal patients (average age 57.5 years), with vascular invasion found in 23% of the cases. ND tumors mostly had higher histological grade, showed the highest percentage of the Ki-67 positive tumor cells and vascular invasion in 30% of the cases. We conclude that the patients with PD breast carcinomas were younger post-menopausal women with the tumors moderately differentiated, HER-2 score 0 or 1+ and with lower Ki-67 proliferation rate.

Correlation of tumor-associated macrophages and NK cells with bladder cancer size and T stage in patients with solitary low-grade urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to correlate the level of tumor-infiltrating immune cells with bladder cancer size and T category in patients with solitary low-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2006, 115 patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC after transurethral resection of the bladder without adjuvant therapy were retrospectively identified from the institutional database. Tumor specimens were retrieved and tissue microarrays were constructed. Immunhistochemical staining for tumor-infiltrating immune cells with anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56, CD68, and granzyme B (Gr B) was performed. RESULTS: Immune cells were predominantly observed within the cancer stroma. Statistically significant higher levels of CD56 cells in small tumors and CD68 cells in T1 tumors (p = 0.0310, 0.0151, respectively) were established. CONCLUSION: The current study propose a possible correlation of CD56+ and CD68+ cells with bladder cancer size and stage in patients with solitary low-grade NMIBC.

Fenestrations and Various Duplications of the Posterior Communicating Artery in the Prenatal and Postnatal Periods.

BACKGROUND: The 2 paired arteries-the posterior communicating arteries (PCoAs) and the precommunicating parts of the posterior cerebral arteries-form the so-called posterior segment of the cerebral arterial circle on the base of the brain. A number of (ab)normal morphologic features were described in the literature (e.g., unusual kinking, or extreme elongations, hypoplasia, duplications, fenestrations, the infundibular widening, or aplasia of the PCoA in the prenatal and/or postnatal periods). The aim of this study was to analyze an incidence of various fenestrations and duplications of the PCoA, and describe their general features and their association with other vascular abnormalities. METHODS: The research was performed on the brains of 200 human fetuses and 377 adult cadavers of both genders and different ages using microdissection and macrodissection methods. RESULTS: There were 0.34% cases with PCoA fenestrations and 3.12% cases with various PCoA duplications. Their morphologic features were described and compared with the similar PCoA abnormalities recorded in the scientific literature. There was no association between the PCoA and either duplication or aneurysm in adult cases. CONCLUSIONS: After thorough examination, the fenestrations and duplications of the PCoA are distinguished as 2 special forms of vascular abnormalities, and the PCoA duplications are characterized as partial and total. Furthermore, whereas the low incidence of a fenestration of the PCoA suggests it to be a sufficiently rare phenomenon, the duplications of the PCoA trunk are fairly frequent, especially concerning its terminal segment.

Expression of osteopontin and CD44 molecule in papillary renal cell tumors.

The aim of the study was to analyze the expression of CD44 adhesion molecule and its ligand osteopontin in papillary renal cell tumors, and to assess the possible prognostic significance of CD44 and osteopontin expression in papillary renal cell carcinomas. The expression of the standard and v6 exon containing isoforms of CD44 molecule, as well as of its ligand osteopontin, was immunohistochemically evaluated in 43 papillary renal cell tumors, which included 5 adenomas and 38 carcinomas. In order to assess their prognostic significance, the results obtained in papillary renal cell carcinomas were compared to usual clinicopathological parameters such as tumor size, histological grade, pathological stage, and Ki-67 proliferation index. Normal renal tissue was negative for CD44s and v6 isoforms, while the expression of osteopontin was found in distal tubular epithelial cells in the form of cytoplasmic granular positivity. CD44s and v6 isoforms were upregulated in 22 (58%) and 12 (32%) out of 38 carcinomas, respectively. Among all clinicopathological parameters examined, we only found significant association of CD44s-positive carcinomas with lower pathological stage (p=0.026). Papillary renal cell adenomas were generally negative for CD44s, except for focal positivity found in one sample. The osteopontin protein was detected in all adenomas and all papillary renal cell carcinomas, except one. Our results show constitutive expression of osteopontin in papillary renal tumors, including papillary renal cell adenomas. The upregulation of CD44s and v6 isoforms, although found in a considerable number of papillary renal cell carcinomas, does not appear to have any prognostic value in this type of renal cancer.

Infundibular dilatation of the posterior communicating artery in a defined population.

Unusual widening of the posterior communicating artery (PCoA) at its beginning from the cerebral portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) was described as its infundibular dilatation (ID). A possibility of ID rupture or progression to aneurysm was the reason for an investigation of its frequency and morphologic features in specimens of the Serbian population. Cerebral arteries on the brain base of 267 adult cadavers of both genders and varying age and causes of death were dissected. The images of the PCoA in 190 fetuses were also reviewed. ID of the PCoA was defined as a funnel shaped beginning of different width from ICA, wherein PCoA continues from ID apex to the posterior cerebral artery. There were no cases of ID in fetuses. ID and aneurysms of the PCoA were found in 6/267 or 2.2% and 3/267 or 1.12% of adults, respectively. Unilaterally, they existed on the left side and, frequently, in male cases aging 70 years and older, that had died without cerebral cause. Bilaterally, ID was found in 2/6 cases. There was only one case of ID and aneurysm of the PCoA, but from the ID. We are of the opinion that ID of the PCoA only develops postnatally and probably is due to the influence of hemodynamic factors or hypertension.

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 immunoexpression in prostate carcinoma at the positive margin of radical prostatectomy specimens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in prostate cancer in the main tumor mass and tumor cells at the positive margin as well as the influence of these biomarkers on the biochemical recurrence of the disease in prostatectomy patients. Tissue microarrays of 120 archival prostate carcinoma samples were immunohistochemically evaluated for MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and compared with clinicopathological parameters. Tumors with positive surgical margins showed significantly higher overall expression of MMP-9 versus tumors with negative resection margins (P = 0.0121). MMP-9 expression was significantly elevated in tumors from patients who had biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0207). In the group of patients with negative margins, MMP-9 expression above the cut-off value was significantly associated with recurrence (P = 0.0065). Multivariate analysis indicated that MMP-9 is a good predictor of biochemical recurrence (odds ratio = 10.29; P = 0.0052). Expression of MMP-2 in tumor cells was significantly higher at the positive margins than in the main tumor mass (P = 0.0301). The present results highlight the potential value of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression for predicting the behavior of prostate tumors after prostatectomy with both positive and negative surgical margins.

Impact of NK cell count on bladder cancer recurrence.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the local NK cell count in patients with recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: The archival paraffin-embedded primary tumor specimens were derived from retrospectively-selected patients, who were treated between 1996 and 2001 for bladder cancer. The study group consisted of 46 patients who developed recurrent disease during their first two post-operative years. The control group consisted of 27 patients who did not develop recurrent disease during their first two post-operative years. Specimens were assessed immunohistochemically with standard "ABC" technique. The frequency of NK cells was expressed as total number, estimated for each tumor by counting the positive NK cells in 10 high-power representative fields. Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in general have significantly higher values of stromal NK cell count than the control group. Patients with single tumor and smaller tumors show a statistically significant difference in NK cell count between study and control group. There also exists a statistically significant difference in stromal NK cell count in patients with clinical stage Ta tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm an association of the bladder wall NK cell count in bladder cancer patients with the natural history of disease. Further well-performed, reproducible, large, prospective investigation stratified by clinical parameters, such as tumor number and diameter, is needed to display the true value of this marker in the clinical work-up of bladder cancer patients.