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Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the HER-2/NEU expression by immunohistochemistry in Urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP),     Rawalpindi, from 15th August 2011 to 14th August 2012.
Patients and Methods: Bladder cancer tissue specimens from 70 patients were selected in one year as per the inclusion criterion. Immunohistochemistry results were interpreted on light microscope using high power field objective and Her 2/ neu expression was recorded. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for qualitative variables.
Results: Out of 70 cases of urothelial carcinoma, Her 2/ neu expression was found to be positive in 24 cases, out of which 5 were of low grade and 19 were of high grade while 16 were invasive and 8 were non invasive. The expression of Her 2/neu was detected in 16 out of 33 cases of invasive carcinoma (48.4%) and in 8 out of 37 cases of non invasive carcinoma (21.6%). As far as grade is concerned, Her 2/ neu was found to be positive in 5 out of 30 cases of low grade carcinoma (16.6%) and 19 out of 40 cases of high grade carcinoma (47.5%).
Conclusion: The expression of Her 2/neu has been shown to be related to the stage & grade of urothelial carcinoma. Her 2/neu expression is increased in high grade and invasive urothelial carcinoma. Molecular targeted therapy targeting Her 2/neu can be beneficial in patients after assessment of Her 2/neu expression.