Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background& Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between bladder cancer and androgen receptor expression among patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. Material & Methods: In a case - control study, 59 patients with bladder cancer and 59 healthy subjects who underwent cystoscopy with another indication were enrolled and expression of androgen receptor was assessed by Immunohistochemistry technique. Receptor was also studied in terms of tumor grade and recurrence. Results: The expression of androgen receptor was observed in 15.3% and 11.9% in case and control group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in term of receptor expression (P=0.789). In the case group, expression of androgen receptor was not correlated with tumor grade (P=0.338). After 9 months of follow-up, recurrence rate was 28.8% and of these patients 17.6% were receptor-positive. There was no association between receptor positivity and recurrence (P=0.708). Conclusion: The results of our study do not support the expression of androgen receptor as a prognostic factor in bladder cancer. It also varies in different studies. However, further studies in a larger population are needed to reach a more definitive conclusion.