BCL-2 Expression and Histopathological Staging of Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Setting Hospital

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the commonest form of kidney cancer, constituting approximately 90% of all diagnosed kidney cancer. Patients with over expression of BCL-2 in renal cell carcinoma have a poorer prognosis. BCL-2 expression in RCC may assist in the targeted therapies and improve patient management. Aim: To evaluate the expression of BCL-2 in histomorphologically diagnosed renal cell carcinoma and its association with histopathological stage (pT). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from March 2021 to February 2023 among purposively included 60 histomorphologically diagnosed RCC patients. Immunostaining with BCL-2 antibody was also done and findings were recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS software version 25. Results: A total of 26 (43.3%) patients were in pT2 stage, 24 (40.0%) patients belonged to pT1 stage and the remaining 10 (16.7%) patients were in pT3 stage. Positive expression of BCL-2 was detected in 37 (61.7%) cases while 23 (38.3%) patients had negative BCL-2 expression. BCL-2 expression was significantly associated with pT stage (p=0.035). Conclusion: BCL-2 immunomarker, combined with histopathological staging can identify individuals at high risk for kidney cancer. BCL-2 expression is crucial for patients with cancer that does not respond to chemotherapy. J Dhaka Med Coll. 2024; 33(2) : 69-73