Transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder. A histopathological study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the histological grading and muscle invasion in Transitional Cell Carcinomas of the Urinary Bladder; and to evaluate whether any correlation exists between tumour grade and muscle invasion. METHOD A Retrospective study of all consecutive cases of Transitional Cell Carcinomas of the Urinary Bladder diagnosed at Aga Khan University Hospital between 1st Jan 1997 and 31st Dec 2000. RESULTS This study included 495 cases of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder. M: F ratio was 4:1. Ages of patients ranged from 30 years to 87 years. Mean age in males was 59.1 years and in females 58.8 years. Forty four percent cases were Grade II, and 29.5% Grade III. None of the Grade I lesions were invasive, 10% Grade II tumours, 61.41% of Grade III and all Grade IV tumours were invasive. CONCLUSION There is a definite correlation between advancing tumour grade and muscle invasion.