Relevance of the Immunohistochemical Expression of p53 and E-cadherin in the Grading of Urothelial Carcinoma: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Background Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a prevalent cancer worldwide, primarily affecting the urinary bladder. It is more common in men than women and is often linked to factors like tobacco smoking, occupational exposure, and chronic infections. UC can be classified into different subtypes based on its growth pattern (papillary or non-papillary) and the extent of invasion into the bladder wall. The management of UC depends on its grade and stage, with treatment options ranging from transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for non-invasive tumors to cystectomy for muscle-invasive disease. This study aimed to investigate the expression of p53 and E-cadherin in low-grade and high-grade UC and their correlation with histomorphological parameters. Materials and methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 50 histopathologically confirmed UC cases. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for p53 and E-cadherin was performed, and the results were correlated with clinicopathological features. Statistical analysis was performed to find the correlation between p53 and E-cadherin immunoexpression and the grade of UC. Results The cohort's mean age was 58.18±12.99 years, with a male predominance (76%). Most cases (52%) were from rural areas and unskilled workers (52%). Hematuria was present in all cases (100%), while urgency and frequency were reported in 32% each. High-grade UC was more common (76%), with 48% being invasive. Muscle invasion was absent in 56%. p53 overexpression was seen in all cases, with 38% moderate and 36% strong staining. Twenty-two out of 24 cases (91.7%) of invasive UC showed low E-cadherin expression, while all 26 cases (100%) of low-grade papillary UC and high-grade papillary UC displayed high E-cadherin expression. This suggests that reduced E-cadherin expression is strongly associated with invasive UC, potentially as a tumor aggressiveness and progression marker. Conclusion Considering that elevated p53 protein expression is linked to aggressive tumor behavior, a more intensive treatment strategy is recommended for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who show high p53 protein scores. On the other hand, the downregulation or absence of E-cadherin expression has been recognized as a strong indicator of advanced grade and higher clinical stages.