Elevated levels of basic fibroblast growth factor in the urine of clam enterocystoplasty patients

Purpose: We determined whether basic fibroblast growth factor is elevated in the urine of patients who have undergone clam ileocystoplasty. Materials and Methods: An immunoassay technique was used to measure urinary basic fibroblast growth factor in 50 patients equally divided between those with and without neuropathy who had undergone clam enterocystoplasty. The results were compared with urinary basic fibroblast growth factor concentrations from 25 healthy age and sex matched volunteers. Results: There is a highly significant elevation of urinary basic fibroblast growth factor in clam enterocystoplasty patients compared to controls, which is not related to the presence or absence of infection. There is no difference between those with and without neuropathy. Conclusions: Elevated levels of basic fibroblast growth factor are an important consideration in the malignant potential of the clam procedure.