[Expresion of E-cadherin and catenins in urothelial carcinomas]. / Expresión de cadherina E y cateninas en los carcinomas uroteliales.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the presence of E-cadherin and alpha, beta and gamma catenins detected by immunohistochemistry and correlated with the classic variables: grade, stage and recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors evaluated 37 transitional cell carcinomas. Biopsy specimens included no recurrent transitional cell carcinoma (n=19) and recurrent transitional cell carcinoma (n=18). Association of E-cadherin and alpha, beta and gamma catenins immunoreactivity with tumor grade, clinical stage and tumor recurrence was examined. RESULTS: E-cadherin and gamma catenin expression were related to the clinical stage of the disease, alpha and beta catenins were not correlated with grade, stage and recurrence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased E cadherin and gamma catenin expression were associated with advanced stage of the disease.