Understanding the molecular pathogenesis and prognostics of bladder cancer: an overview

Abstract

The knowledge of cellular mechanisms in malignances of the bladder has grown exponentially. Molecular technologies have led to the discovery of the molecular pathways distinguishing low-and high-grade urothelial neoplasms. This trend portends the future in which the classification and diagnosis of the bladder tumors through morphologic analysis will be supported by molecular information correlating with prognosis and targeted therapy. This article outlines tumor molecular pathology of bladder cancer with an emphasis on several promising candidate biomarkers that may soon make their transition to the realm of clinical management of bladder cancer.

Keywords: Biomarkers; bladder cancer; molecular pathology; prognosis.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Figure 1

Divergent molecular pathways of oncogenesis in superficial and muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder.